Amazon Kindle out of stock again - back in a few weeks

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I would hope if PVI has more orders than capacity they are already trying to figure out how to expand production.

BOb

There was a news article here at MobileRead months ago indicating that PVI had purchased some factories and was remodeling them to produce more screens. I have not heard of any update.

Dale

[MoSo]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I think he ment that Amazon can invest in PVI to help them expand their production capacity which will inturn allow them to build more Kindles. They could as part of the deal tell PVI that they extra screens can only be used for Kindles so Sony and others would be able to get extra screens.

I would hope if PVI has more orders than capacity they are already trying to figure out how to expand production.

BOb

Having worked in high tech (and I'm a "she", by the way), I have never yet seen a high tech company that was not willing to go to (often ruinous) lengths to meet implied demand. PVI wants to get as much product out there as they can while demand is high - who knows, next month Xerox might have their 20-years-and-counting e-ink technology ramped up and undercut them on price.

Amazon had trouble producing product before the current screen shortage, which implies to me that Amazon seriously underestimated order volumes and whatever CM facility they are using doesn't have capacity to build more (or, more likely, has other contracts to fulfill and can only tool up for the Kindle line in between other projects). The wonder of JIT, most often known as "Not Quite In Time" instead.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by MoSo

Amazon had trouble producing product before the current screen shortage, which implies to me that Amazon seriously underestimated order volumes and whatever CM facility they are using doesn't have capacity to build more (or, more likely, has other contracts to fulfill and can only tool up for the Kindle line in between other projects). The wonder of JIT, most often known as "Not Quite In Time" instead.

This is not a situation unique to Amazon - it's ALL the eInk readers that are in short supply. Kindle, CyBook, Sony, iLiad, Hanlin - they're all in the same boat. PVI supply the screens for them all.

[JSWolf]

That would be wrong for PVI to make a deal like that with anyone. Would get them in a lot of trouble with consumers. And for all we know, it might be illegal too.

[MoSo]

Originally Posted by HarryT

This is not a situation unique to Amazon - it's ALL the eInk readers that are in short supply. Kindle, CyBook, Sony, iLiad, Hanlin - they're all in the same boat. PVI supply the screens for them all.

Now, yes, but the Kindle has been in short supply since it debuted last year. Either all the other companies were working off of a large production back stock supply (doubtful, because that'd mean stock in the warehouse, costing them time-value money and these are not deep-pocket companies, with the exception of Sony), or the Amazon line has been running behind from about Day One of launch.

EDIT: and the Amazon line started moving again, BTW - shipping notices are out for customers with order dates of 2/24-25. And apparently all it takes for the Kindle to be knocked off Amazon's main page is money - the lead item on the main page this morning was the Vista SP1. Wonder how much that cost Microsoft?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by MoSo

Now, yes, but the Kindle has been in short supply since it debuted last year.

As has, for example, the CyBook Gen3. Bookeen are quoting an unspecified time in May for customers who order now, for example. The Kindle really is no different to the others - they all get delivered in "batches", roughly once a month.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That would be wrong for PVI to make a deal like that with anyone. Would get them in a lot of trouble with consumers. And for all we know, it might be illegal too.

Did you mean Amazon investing in a PVI factory and being able to buy more screens?

How would this be illegal? Companies make B2B exclusive deals all the time. See Apple / AT&T exclusive deal with iPhone.

Amazon could also build and own the factory and license the rights to manufature the screens also. This is done all the time, and is in no way illegal.

BOb

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Did you mean Amazon investing in a PVI factory and being able to buy more screens?

How would this be illegal? Companies make B2B exclusive deals all the time. See Apple / AT&T exclusive deal with iPhone.

Amazon could also build and own the factory and license the rights to manufature the screens also. This is done all the time, and is in no way illegal.

BOb

I think Jon means if Amazon were to try and "grab" all PVI's production, at the expensive of the other device manufacturers.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think Jon means if Amazon were to try and "grab" all PVI's production, at the expensive of the other device manufacturers.

Yes exactly. That would mean that other companies such as Hanlain, Bookeen, Sony, Nextronix, & others, would have an unfair advantage when it comes to the 6" eink screens. That would sort of give Amazon a monopoly.