Andre Yoskowitz
24 Jan 2012 23:38
Western Digital has reported their quarterly earnings today, and there are finally some hard numbers to show off the effect of the floods in Thailand.
Year-over-year, the company saw a huge drop in drives shipped, down to 28.5 million down from 52.2 million. The company took a $200 million loss in expenses related to the floods, and a $500 million drop in total revenue.
On the other hand, prices jumped 47 percent to $69 per unit over last year, thanks in part to a large gross margin increase. Margins are now at a hefty 32.5 percent compared to 19.2 percent last year.
Thai factories are expected to be up and running to pre-flood capacities by September and a full pipeline ready by March 2013.
Other hard drive makers have made similar statements so do not expect hard drive prices to return to their all-time lows (summer 2011) anytime soon.