Overview
- Korean industry reports say Google dismissed senior procurement executives in South Korea after they failed to secure HBM long-term supply deals.
- Microsoft negotiators reportedly walked out of a meeting with SK Hynix after being told the supplier could not meet the terms they sought.
- Purchasing teams from Google, Microsoft, and Meta are now stationed in South Korea to negotiate directly with Samsung and SK Hynix.
- Advanced HBM and high-performance DRAM production is concentrated at Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, with much of 2026 capacity already committed, according to multiple reports.
- Big tech buyers are placing open-ended orders requesting any available volume regardless of price and are expanding on-the-ground hiring in Asia for memory sourcing roles.