[varispeed]

It is a small business, one guy does EE the other does SE.

Their model was to buy parts as they are needed depending on order volume (JIT).

Now with the shortages it is not possible. You can calculate how many orders you may get within a year and place a back order for these parts. 1000 MCUs alone is like £20k. They were looking at spending £50k total and facing no income at all until the parts arrive.