Understanding Your Supply Chain: What Is Hiding There

(41.45 +Q&A) -- global complexity, models, visibility, disruptions, sourcing options, resiliency ...   Katherine “Kitty” Pearsall, President, IEEE Electronics Packaging Society (Boss Precision) - with contributions from Chris Dharma, SEMI Supply Chain Initiative.

The electronics packaging industry has shifted away from the monolithic systems that were prevalent in the IT-dominated space, to the consumer-focused realm where compute has become pervasive. This results in more complex supply chain dynamics. Key factors for this shift include product/application complexity as well as global complexity; geographical and political diversity; supply chain disruptions (e.g., pandemics, raw material shortages, climate change, etc); and supply chain development  and support for new materials).
OEMs, OSATs, and Foundries all have supply chain choices. Regardless of what choices are made, the interaction between each and their suppliers varies. Examples are multiple sourcing, single sourcing, and sole sourcing. When each entity works with its suppliers, and the suppliers work with their network of suppliers, the supply chain can become a very elongated and complex network that can be a barrel-shaped supply chain network, diamond shaped supply chain structure, or a hybrid of the different models. Disruptions of any sort can impact the companies across the electronics packaging industry.
It has been reported (2020) that only a few companies are (or have been) investing in their supply chain visibility. Visibility is still limited for most of those that have been investing, as they don’t see across their entire supply chain. More significant is that greater than 50% of companies polled had no supply chain visibility at all. Mitigating the challenges and impacts suffered by most suppliers during disruptions mandates implementing and/or optimizing a supply chain management process. Fragmented, unconnected supply chains must be replaced by dynamic, smart, integrated, E2E (end to end) supply chains. Visibility and traceability in an E2E supply chain is critical to providing a resilient supply chain that is flexible and can adapt to impacts/issues in real time.
Disruptions that have had significant impact will be discussed in this presentation. A common theme prevails — the lack of transparency. Examples of disruptions, their impact, and risk mitigation will be presented.
Bio: Kitty Pearsall received the BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering from University of Texas at El Paso, and her MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Materials from the University of Texas Austin. Kitty worked for IBM for 41 years. In 2005 Kitty was appointed an IBM Distinguished Engineer and was elected to the IBM Academy of Technology. Kitty was a process consultant and subject-matter expert working on strategic initiatives impacting component qualification and end quality of procured commodities. As part of the Integrated Supply Chain, Kitty engaged with WW teams implementing cross-brand, cross commodity processes/products that delivered high quality/high reliability product.
Kitty received many IBM Outstanding Technical Achievement Awards; holds 12 US patents; and 8 published disclosures. She has numerous internal publications as well as 22 external publications in her field. Kitty is a licensed Professional Engineer (Texas since 1993). Kitty was the recipient of the UT Austin – Cockrell Engineering Distinguished Engineering Graduate Award in 2007 followed by induction into the UT Mechanical Engineering Dept. Academy of Distinguished Alumni in 2008. Kitty was awarded the Women in Technology Fran E. Allan Mentoring Award (2006) in recognition of her people development both in and outside of IBM.
Currently Kitty is President of Boss Precision Inc. and works as an independent consultant. This has included a one-year engagement with Shainin Corporation.
Kitty has been an active member in IEEE for 31 years as well as an EPS/CPMT member for 28 years. Kitty has volunteered (27 yrs.) at ECTC as a member of the ECTC Manufacturing Technology Committee (1993 -2013) and the ECTC PDC Chair since 2006. During Kitty’s 16 years on the EPS/CPMT Board of Governors, Kitty has served in many roles: Member at Large, Strategic Awards Director, VP of Education, Director of WW Chapter Programs, and Chair of the EPS Field Award Committee. Currently Kitty is the EPS President for 2022-2023.

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