Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) has reiterated that it could take several years for a global shortage of semiconductors to be resolved, a problem that has shuttered automotive production lines and hurt the delivery of consumer electronics.
Intel Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat Gelsinger told a virtual session of the Computex trade show that the work-and-study-from-home trend during the pandemic had led to a "cycle of explosive growth in semiconductors" that has placed huge strain on global supply chains.
Gelsinger said in April that the shortage was going to take a couple of years to resolve, and that Intel planned to start producing chips within nine months to address shortages at U.S. automotive plants.
Intel has announced a $20-billion U.S. plan to expand its advanced microchip manufacturing capacity, building two factories in Arizona and opening its plants to outside customers.
Intel's plans could challenge the two other companies in the world that can make the most advanced chips - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) and South Korea's Samsung Electronics.
Taiwan Semiconductor and Samsung now dominate the semiconductor manufacturing business, moving its centre of gravity from the United States to Asia, where more than two-thirds of advanced chips are now made.
