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Japan & Korea Supply Chain

2026 Semiconductor Outlook: Risk Mitigation, Architecture, Investment

According to www.deloitte.com, the 2026 Global Semiconductor Industry Outlook notes soaring chip sales but stresses risk mitigation for demand correction, integrated system architecture, and balanced investment. Leaders including Jeroen Kusters (US Semiconductor Leader), Deb Bhattacharjee (Global Semiconductor CoE leader), and Duncan Stewart (TMT Research Director) emphasize digital supply networks, SAP-enabled transformation, and global research coordination. The report signals intensified focus on supply chain resilience amid rising capex, regional diversification, and cross-tier alignment.

Original source: deloitte.com

2026 Semiconductor Outlook: Risk Mitigation, Architecture, Investment

According to www.deloitte.com, the 2026 Global Semiconductor Industry Outlook highlights that while chip sales continue to soar in 2026, industry focus is shifting toward risk mitigation for demand correction, integrated system architecture, and a balanced investment approach.

Strategic Shifts in Semiconductor Supply Chains

The report identifies three interlocking priorities shaping semiconductor supply chain strategy in 2026: proactive management of potential demand corrections, deeper integration of chip design with system-level architecture, and disciplined capital allocation across fabrication, packaging, and advanced R&D. These reflect heightened sensitivity to cyclical volatility and geopolitical complexity — factors intensifying pressure on lead time predictability, inventory positioning, and multi-tier supplier coordination.

Leadership Perspectives

Jeroen Kusters, Principal and US Semiconductor Leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP, brings over 20 years of experience advising chief executives on market shifts and operational transformation. His work emphasizes the transition from linear supply chains to digital supply networks. According to the report, Kusters advocates for enterprise planning approaches that enable semiconductor companies to operate effectively in a digital world while addressing supply chain challenges.

“He is a thought leader and author in supply chain management, advocating for the shift from linear supply chains to digital supply networks.” — Jeroen Kusters, Principal | US Semiconductor Leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP

Deb Bhattacharjee, Principal and Global Semiconductor Center of Excellence leader at Deloitte Consulting LLP, has led nearly 30 transformation programs — many focused on supply chain — and worked with more than 75 technology clients. Her expertise includes SAP-enabled business transformation across semiconductor, equipment, and hi-tech consumer products sectors. According to the report, she helps clients develop business-driven technology strategies and transformation road maps.

Jordan Bish, Partner and NSE/NL Technology sector leader at Deloitte Netherlands, brings 17 years of strategy and transformation consulting experience in the TMT industry across Europe and the US. Duncan Stewart, Research Director for TMT at Deloitte Canada, serves as lead researcher on semiconductor topics for both the US TMT Center and Deloitte Global. Karthik Ramachandran, Senior Research Manager at Deloitte’s Center for TMT in India, specializes in technology and semiconductor research and collaborates closely with senior industry stakeholders.

Industry Context for Supply Chain Professionals

This outlook arrives amid sustained global investment in semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure — including the US CHIPS and Science Act, the EU Chips Act, and Japan’s subsidies — all aimed at reducing geographic concentration risks. According to public data, global semiconductor capital expenditures reached $181.3 billion in 2024 (per SEMI), up 22% year-on-year, with packaging and advanced packaging investments growing faster than front-end wafer fabrication. Meanwhile, nearshoring initiatives in Mexico and Southeast Asia are accelerating, particularly for assembly, test, and packaging (ATP) operations. For supply chain professionals, this means managing tighter alignment between foundry capacity planning, substrate and advanced packaging material availability, and end-market demand signals — especially in AI accelerators, automotive chips, and industrial IoT. The shift toward integrated system architecture also implies greater collaboration between chip suppliers, OS developers, and OEMs, requiring new contractual frameworks and data-sharing protocols to de-risk joint development timelines.

Source: www.deloitte.com

Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.

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