Sonos CEO Patrick Spence told CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday the coronavirus pandemic's impact on business for technology companies has been profound.
"The industry right now is probably in its most challenging time it's ever been in terms of semiconductors and port delays and container shortages, you name it," Spence said in an interview on "Mad Money." "In my 23 years in tech, I haven't seen a period as challenged as this."
While supply chains have been disrupted since the Covid crisis began in earnest in early 2020, Spence said he does see some reason for optimism.
"The good news is that as we look at '22, I think we see more fabs coming online in the semiconductor space," said Spence, who's led Sonos since 2017. He first joined the speaker maker in 2012 to serve as chief commercial officer.
"These are short-term issues that we'll be able to work through, so while there are some delays in the near term — and certainly a speed bump from a supply-chain perspective industry wide — fundamentally it doesn't change the long-term trajectory of our business," Spence said.
Asked by Cramer whether Sonos has seen order cancellations because a product isn't readily available, Spence said the company appreciates the patience many customers have exhibited.
"We watch very closely our backlog. ... The great news is they're willing to wait for their next Sonos because they've already started to invest in the system, and it just gets better over time," Spence said. "People have shown a willingness to wait, and it's a considered purchase. This isn't an impulse purchase. ... We just feel very grateful customers have been willing to stick with us while we have these short-term supply challenges."
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