While you would think there were a lot of Chinese in
China, component makers can't find enough to build their products and this
could result in a worldwide shortage soon.
Component makers say that they can can only satisfy
70-80 per cent of their orders from notebook makers and the situation might get
worse. The problem is that there are simply not enough skilled
Chinese around to build the bits and bobs needed.
According to Digitimes part of the problem is that the
glorious People's Republic started moving its economic development focus from
coastal areas to inland. Plants in coastal regions have recently began to face
difficulties hiring new workers and will need to double or triple salaries if
the want to attract enough temporary workers to fulfil their orders.
To make matters worse, notebook makers want more
components which is making gear as rare as hen's teeth. Labour shortages have been a problem in China since last
year and
word on the street is that things will get much worse after the
Lunar New Year in February.
Some component makers do not expect to see five to 10 per
cent of their employees coming back after the holiday break.