Intel publishes letter apologizing for CPU supply issues
Intel has published a letter in which it apologizes to customers and partners for on-going problems with CPU supplies. The company says that while it is "working hard to regain supply-demand balance", it "remains a challenge".
In spite of the company's best effort, supplies are still "extremely tight" and the letter appears to be part of an appeasement campaign to calm the frustrations of those hit by shipment delays.
Despite increasing production, Intel says that demand continues to exceed predictions. In the letter, Intel's EVP and GM of Sales, Marketing and Communications, Michelle Johnston Holthaus, says: "I'd like to acknowledge and sincerely apologize for the impact recent PC CPU shipment delays are having on your business and to thank you for your continued partnership. I also want to update you on our actions and investments to improve supply-demand balance and support you with performance-leading Intel products. Despite our best efforts, we have not yet resolved this challenge".
She goes on to explain:
In response to continued strong demand, we have invested record levels of Capex increasing our 14nm wafer capacity this year while also ramping 10nm production. In addition to expanding Intel's own manufacturing capability, we are increasing our use of foundries to enable Intel's differentiated manufacturing to produce more Intel CPU products.
The added capacity allowed us to increase our second-half PC CPU supply by double digits compared with the first half of this year. However, sustained market growth in 2019 has outpaced our efforts and exceeded third-party forecasts. Supply remains extremely tight in our PC business where we are operating with limited inventory buffers. This makes us less able to absorb the impact of any production variability, which we have experienced in the quarter. This has resulted in the shipment delays you are experiencing, which we appreciate is creating significant challenges for your business. Because the impact and revised shipment schedules vary, Intel representatives are reaching out with additional information and to answer your questions.
Johnston concludes by saying: "We will continue working tirelessly to provide you with Intel products to support your innovation and growth".
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