Sharp CEO comments on supply chain issues
Interview recently published with Mike Marusic, President and CEO of Sharp USA
- Using Google Analytics to mitigate supply chain and chip shortage issues
- “Last April, we told the dealers that we were going to ease up on making A4” (to focus on A3 MFPs)
- “We had to protect that (A3), even though I would have preferred to be aggressive with A4, which was our plan”
- Claims that only 1%-2% of A3 customers were using the wireless function, and that function required multiple chips and was standard on A3, but is not an option
- That allows chips to be used in other areas, and prevent hold up on A3 shipments
- “If you explain that this allows us to make a couple hundred more products (A3) a month, that’s an easy decision”
- “In October of 2020, we were told that a chip on our fax board was going to run out of supply in May or June of the following year”
- “I then told our branches (factory direct sales) you’re not allowed to sell fax boards without my permission”
- “That lowered our fax board sales so that dealers always had fax boards’