Sony has completely stopped taking shipments of Vaio components from Taiwan-based suppliers following its signing with Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) to sell the business in early February 2014, and consequently suppliers are facing a heavy burden from high inventory levels, according to Taiwan-based notebook supply chain makers.

　　JIP will set up a new company to take over Vaio business operations, but there is no schedule yet and therefore Taiwan-based component suppliers have to wait for the new company to take shipments, the sources indicated. It is possible that the new company will begin to take shipments of Vaio components in May-June, the sources said.

　　Most of Vaio components are customized and cannot be used in notebooks or all-in-one PCs developed by other vendors, the sources noted. Thus, Taiwan-based suppliers also have to run the risk of bearing losses if the new company does not take shipments, the sources noted.