Vendors Weigh Crisis Effects On Market
By Jeff Malester -- TWICE, 9/24/2001
NEW YORK— CE manufacturers contacted about the effects of the Sept. 11 attack not only discussed business conditions, but parts availability and other concerns.
"We're concerned about the heightened security the Customs Service is undertaking for containers coming into ports around the country," said Don Patrican, VP of marketing and sales at the Fair Lawn, N.J.-based consumer products division of Maxell Corp. of America. "We receive product [blank media] at the end of the month that we have to get out to customers, warehouses — containers from Japan and Taiwan. There could be 25 percent to 30 percent of monthly sales in these containers. If there are delays, there would be orders we could not fill."
Mike O'Hara, executive VP/worldwide marketing and sales at Thomson Multimedia, said, "We are limiting travel to business-critical needs. We have been closely monitoring the component supply and manufacturing operations that Thomson maintains. Traffic is slower than normal, but we are moving finished goods from our border-area manufacturing operations."
"Whatever the impact may be, it will affect all of us," said Bob Borchardt, president/CEO of Lake Mary, Fla.-based accessories maker Recoton. "There may even be positive benefits for the electronics industry as consumers reduce their outside entertainment activities such as travel, movies, restaurants, etc., and stay home with their families. Sales of home theater equipment, speakers systems, video games and accessories, and all the upgrading of their connectivity, care and maintenance products could see growth."
