According to a new report, combined hard disk drive shipments from Western Digital, Seagate, Hitachi and Toshiba during Q1 2012 will fall just 20 percent shy of the number produced before last fall's devastating Thailand floods.
Digitimes reports that HDD makers shipped approximately 175 million devices in Q3 2011 but saw that number plunge to fewer than 125 million the following quarter. By the end of Q1 2012, shipment levels should sit at a more comfortable 140 million, relieving some supply problems.
It's unknown exactly when prices will also return to pre-flood levels, however. A 1TB Seagate Barracuda drive cost around $65 at Newegg last October, but surged to $150 just one month later. Currently, it's listed at $140.
Digitimes' sources suggested that by the end of 2012, HDDs may still cost up to 40 percent more than they did in early 2011.
Western Digital alone saw a precipitous drop-off in manufacturing capabilities thanks to the floods. Hardest hit due to an over-reliance on its Thai factories, the company shipped around 25 million fewer HDDs in the post-flood quarter. Prior to the floods, 32.4 million HDDs were made in Thailand, with 21.6 million coming from Malaysia.
Western Digital President and CEO John Coyne said that recovery efforts in the region are well underway, but may take until September.
Seagate became the de facto market leader due to its rival's shortfall. According to its January earnings report, the company shipped 47 million HDDs despite the flood, or a quarterly drop-off of just four million.
