DigiKey: an industry in transition

The global component market is entering a new phase—neither the pandemic-era buying frenzy nor the recent period of oversupply. In an interview with Evertiq, DigiKey CEO Dave Doherty describes an industry in a fragile transition, shaped by both uncertainty and an acceleration of structural changes. He warns that the current dynamics, with customers reducing inventory and suppliers readjusting production, could easily recreate the conditions that led to recent shortages. Furthermore, customer expectations have evolved to demand predictability, transparency, and speed, not just availability. Looking ahead, Doherty identifies three key forces: the rise of AI and automation, the geographic reorganization of manufacturing, and the growing importance of sustainability. He details how AI is already deeply integrated into DigiKey's operations, transforming everything from internal workflows to the customer experience, and concludes that the winners of the next industry cycle will be those who anticipate disruptions and build agile, resilient supply chains