Something as minor as a paint job has caused major headaches for computer maker Dell. A new series of Dell laptops--the XPS M1330--were touted for being both lightweight and colorful, as models came in a variety of bright color finishes. Unfortunately, Dell recently reported having "dust contamination" problems with the laptop's paint, resulting in order backlogs as every color but one (black) needs more coats of paint than anticipated. Additionally, Dell's LED-backlit LCD display--a major contributor to the new laptop's "ultra-light" appeal--is in short supply.
"It's new technology, and that means there are fewer suppliers available," says Alex Gruzen, senior vice president for Dell's Consumer Product Group. "This relatively limited supply base combined with stronger than anticipated demand--the number of orders has simply exceeded our expectations--has contributed to the delays. Our vendors are ramping production as quickly as possible, but these displays continue to be in short supply."
Source: Purchasing, http://www.purchasing.com