Neodymium - The Perfect Storm... Part 1 - The Neodymium Supply Chain

In this article, Mike Klasco provides a unique overview of the neodymium supply chain, rare earth minerals trade, and its implications for the loudspeaker industry. Neodymium magnets are a sensitive issue for the future, given the trend for escalating trade skirmishes with China. This article was originally published in The Audio Voice newsletter of August 23 and 30, 2018. An extended version, also divided in two parts, was later published in Voice Coil magazine in November and December 2018.

For many firms, the outbreak of COVID-19 has meant staff working from home and more use of teleconferencing rather than face to face meetings. However, it's a different situation for manufacturers because, despite investments in automation, reducing the need for staff on assembly lines, they still need staff for most operations, including to receive raw materials. The impact of Coronavirus is both global and unpredictable, and the supply chain shock it is causing will most definitely and substantially cut into the worldwide manufacturing revenue of US$15 trillion currently forecasted for 2020 by ABI Research.

The fifth edition of the Loudspeaker Sourcing Show will take place once again at the Nansha Grand Hotel in Nansha, Guangzhou, China. This annual gathering is becoming an established tradition for loudspeaker designers, brand buyers, engineers, and their decision-makers to meet directly with qualified loudspeaker factories all under one roof. The Loudspeaker Sourcing Show is a three-day industry-only event, every year hosting an increasing number of attendees and exhibitors.