In a message dated 01/10/2000 3:07:20 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Hello, Technet,


 Interphase purchasing personnel are foretelling a world-wide shortage of
 tantatlum capacitors.

 Reports are that certain capacitor manufacturers are refusing any new
 orders, and that lead times via distribution are as great as twelve months.
 This could cause even more premature (debatable) high contrast hair
 follicles at this office.

 I was of course taken aback by these little info-bombs; but I seem to
 remember other shortages of this element along with interesting stories
 about South African embargoes and other historic intrigue.

 Can anyone corroborate this, or criticize the possible fiction?


 cheers,


 Jerry Cupples
 Interphase Corporation
 Dallas, TX USA
 http://www.iphase.com >>

Hi Jerry!

You're email really intrigued me. "What? Shortages of Tantalum capacitors?
How silly!" I thinks to myself...so I called a couple of companies. I won't
name them, but they're big.

The first one I kept getting transfered from extension to extension, and
finally after the 4th or 5th extension, I was told that I would be called
back by a Mr. so-and-so of investor relations...hmmm, I thinks to myself.

The next company I called, I got a little more information from the very
first person I spoke with. I basically asked if it was truth or fiction as to
what you had asked in your email. There was this l-o-o-o-n-g pregnant pause,
and then I was told that just between me and the other person on the phone,
that this was starting to come to a head now, and it's been brewing for a
while. I was also asked not to use the company name with this info. I was
told that many other companies probably would not admit this either. The
problem is simple supply and demand, and a lack of foresite. The price of the
parts had dropped so low that companies weren't making any money on them. So
they discontinued them...a big reason for the shortage. Also confirmed what
you heard that many companies aren't accepting any orders for Tantalums...

Very interesting huh?

-Steve Gregory-

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