14 DAY TRIAL // The disaster that struck Japan on March 11, 2011 has already rippled across the world, but it seems some companies in the IT segment managed to escape without suffering any consequences that might impair their operation.
There is no doubt that the catastrophe that struck Japan on March 11 will affect the world for quite some time and be remembered long after this generation has passed.
This is because not only did an earthquake of almost 9 in magnitude shake the earth, but it sent tsunamis ravaging into the country, leading to over 10,000 casualties.
The disaster's consequences may get even worse if the efforts to cool and stabilize the nuclear reactors at the damaged power plant fail.
Meanwhile, some parts of Japan's industry were impaired or outright shut down, as were companies that have their headquarters in other countries.
One of the hardest hit was Renesas, whose name might be known by some as that of the major (and pretty much only) maker of USB 3.0 controller chips.
A-Data is now reported to be one of the lucky ones, as it has enough chip sources besides the ones in Japan to make sure that its supply of memory products does not suffer.
Currently, it has enough inventory to last it one month, which means that it can fulfill all orders for the month of April.
As for the months after that, it will make sure to use memory makers in Korea and the US to continually restock its supply.
All in all, A-Data actually expects good things for the month of March, since it will no longer have to contend with fewer working days (as it did in February) and awaits for order to go back to normal.
On the other hand, even after the price jump on March 14, DDR3 spot prices went down to US$1.14 and US$2.12 for 1 Gb and 2 gb chips, respectively (on March 17). This means 0.3% and 0.7% decreases and, should prices go even lower, A-Data might have a harder time of fulfilling its higher revenue goal.