AI‑driven demand sparks supply shortages and price hikes in Taiwan's automation and MLCC markets

Goldman Sachs' latest research finds that rapid growth in AI and data‑center workloads is tightening supply for Taiwan’s factory‑automation components. Lead times for rolling‑ball screws have stretched to more than five months and prices are up about 20%, while linear guide rails are seeing a 10% price increase. Sensors are the biggest winners, and Japanese firms such as Keyence and Omron stand to benefit. Taiwanese linear‑motion makers are already raising prices, and CNC‑maker Syntec has gained market share as Japanese CNC leader Fanuc faces longer delivery times.

TrendForce reports that AI‑driven demand has pushed order‑to‑backlog ratios for major Japanese and Korean MLCC producers to post‑COVID highs, creating a shortage that is spilling over into automotive and consumer markets. Taiwanese capacitor suppliers, including Yageo, Hua Hsin and Micro-Container, could capture overflow orders. Prices for high‑capacity MLCCs have risen 15‑25% in China, and accelerated AI‑server deployments are expected to keep lead times long and prices elevated through the end of the year.