Apple has been making our mouths water ever since iPad 2 rumors came out. Surely for the most of us, it will be hard to get one on launch, probably even months after that due to stock constraints. Apple, however, is committed to delivering as Digitimes reports that the company occupied close to 60% of the global touch panel capacity.
Apple reportedly has an internal goal of shipping 40 million iPad products in 2011, and it has been securing its position in the market by holding control over the capacity of major touch panel manufacturers. This causes tight supply among Apple’s competitors, even bringing second tier-players “out of the game.”
“Sources from tablet PC makers also pointed out that the component shortage is causing their shipment volumes to be unable to catch up with their orders, especially for second-tier players. Touch panels are currently suffering the most serious shortage due to Apple holding control over the capacity of major touch panel makers…”
The report adds that sources from iPad distributors pointed out that last year, Apple’s order forecasts to its partnered original equipment manufacturers were high but the biggest problem on the supply side was not capacity, but low yields of touch panels. Due to stock constraints, there are even some countries that only officially got iPads as late as January this year.
In 2011, Apple’s strategy is hitting two birds with one stone by ensuring stocks to quickly expand its sales, while reducing its competitors’ shipment growth.
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