Shimano delays

Does anyone know anything about delays in Shimano's production this
year?

Dahon's 2004 line of folding bikes has been considerably delayed this
year, with some 2004 models not expected until late summer or even
fall. One of the reasons they give for this is delays in receiving
Shimano components. Has Shimano been having delays in production this
year? Has this been affecting other manufacturers, or is Dahon just
low in the pecking order?

Sorry if this is a matter of common knowledge which everyone has been
discussing, but I did google the group first to try to find previous
mentions.