WISeKey to increase manufacturing capabilities to support demand

While most industries are dramatically impacted by the current semiconductor shortage, market analysts predict the same situation will continue into 2022. According to experts, this shortage is the combination of several factors. The global consumer demand dropped during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the semiconductor industry had to significantly reduce its manufacturing capacity to mitigate consequences on profitability; however, the worldwide lockdown had an unforecastable positive effect on the high-tech products market: tons of new laptops, monitors, smartphones, routers, modems and gaming consoles have created a surge in chips across industries that low inventory and limited production capacities haven’t been able to resorb. WISeKey’s secure chips are embedded in high-tech products and goods to protect data, communication and firmware against cyberattacks. This includes routers, modems, energy smart meters, drones and medical devices, to mention a few. As a fabless company, WISeKey trust a network of subcontractors and partners to get the job done. While the company’s book-to-bill ratio is exploding, it has to challenge its existing supply chain and find short and long term solutions to maintain the bar on service quality. WISeKey says these solutions involve continuous negotiations with current suppliers but also investments to diversify sourcing, including relocating some of the processes to minimize transportation and environmental effects. “WISeKey has been selected by global companies as their digital trust partner,” says Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey in the press release. “Our VaultIC and other secure chips are massively used in many sensitive applications that require not only a unique technology expertise but also a perfect supply chain. We are again demonstrating reactivity and agility to provide our customers with the best business continuity in spite of the current chaotic semiconductor crisis.”