A shortage of lithium-ion batteries currently hurting Laptop (including the Eee PC) shipments will likely ease in the 3rd quarter, according to industry sources.
A fire at South Korea's LG Chem in March has crimped global supplies of lithium-ion batteries. The timing couldn't be worse. Demand for notebook computers is soaring this year as people turn to mobile computing. Some companies, such as Asustek Computer, have already said the shortage will hurt their laptop PC shipments this year.
Asustek believes the battery shortage means lost sales of its popular Eee PC. The company will reach its 5 million unit shipment target, but it could have increased the target were it not for the battery troubles, said Jerry Shen, CEO of Asustek, at a news conference a few weeks ago.
The head of the world's largest independent notebook battery maker, Simplo Technology, said he expects the lithium-ion supply to return to normal in the third quarter and allow battery makers to substantially increase production.
"The LG Chem problem has had a big impact on supplies, but we're working with customers and they understand," said Sung Fu-hsang, chairman of Simplo.
The timing for a rebound in battery shipments couldn't be better for the industry. The 3rd quarter is when sales of laptop PCs pick up as kids go back to school & is followed by the peak-holiday sales season.
