EnPanjiva’s research team, like most other professional service providers during COVID-19 lockdowns – have been working from home for the past few weeks. That’s naturally led to the search for new equipment and raises the question as to where U.S. keyboard imports are sourced from.
There’s been a widespread shift in electronics supply chains as firms seek to cut costs and improve resilience – for example Apple has moved production of AirPods, another work-from-home accessory, to Vietnam from China as discussed in Panjiva’s research of May 12.
Panjiva’s data shows that the same shift has not happened for keyboards where complex supply chains for high-end keyboards generally require mechanical switches, bluetooth connectivity and lighting systems which require specialized manufacturing.
China was the top source of seaborne imports of keyboards to the U.S. Imports fell by 34.4% year over year in the three months to April 30, likely due to the production disruptions during the pandemic.
The second largest supplier nation, Taiwan, also fell by 35.8% year over year in the same period. A winner has been Singapore with shipments which rose by 30.8%, representing a shift in market share that could yet become permanent.
Source: Panjiva
Both Corsair, a maker of gaming computer parts and peripherals, and Chicony, a maker of laptop keyboards, saw U.S. imports drop. Shipments linked to Corsair dropped by 21.8% year over year in Q1. That may have reversed in April with a 36.8% rise in April potentially linked to increased consumer demand as well as a recovery in Chinese manufacturing. Imports linked to Chicony meanwhile fell by 39.0% in Q1.
Polaris Electronics, likely associated with Primax Electronics, find themselves in the opposite position. Imports linked to the firm rose 16.7% year over year in the first quarter then fell 29.0% in April.
Source: Panjiva
