Asian factories hit by virus supply chain disruptions

Pandemic pain: Employees handle face masks during a transfer printing process at a factory in Japan. Manufacturing activity in August expanded at a slower rate in the region as chip shortages and factory shutdowns disrupted production. ―Bloomberg

TOKYO: Asia’s factory activity lost momentum in August as a resurgence in coronavirus cases disrupted supply chains across the region, raising concerns faltering manufacturing will add to the economic woes caused by slumping consumption.

Manufacturing activity in August expanded at a slower rate in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan as chip shortages and factory shutdowns disrupted production, in a fresh sign of the lingering impact of the pandemic, surveys showed yesterday.