Connecting the Dots

HP publicly debates getting out of the PC business. Nokia’s market-share has slipped to less than 30% of the market for the first time since 1999. RIM’s “crack-berry” is withering in the sun of iPhone and Android. What’s it all about? And what impact do these OEMs’ market challenges and their operational responses have on their partners – especially the 3rd Party Logistics Service providers and the Electronic Manufacturing Service providers? These partners took over the management of large portions of their OEMs’ supply chains – taking on the assets and associated labor required to operate them. Is there a shift going on with these OEMs that could force major strategic decisions on the part of the 3PLs and the EMS providers? We have some thoughts about this. How about you?