Sustainable and Strategic Design to Combat Component Unavailability

Andrew Heath [Sourceability North America LLC]

Abstract: 

Electronic component unavailability is a supply chain threat for most, if not all, companies that utilize electronic components in their products. There needs to be more strategic preparation for component unavailability, especially for high-reliability industries, such as aerospace, defense, and healthcare organizations, and small to mid-sized OEMs, CMs, and EMS providers. The lack of awareness about various factors that lead to component unavailability and absence of proactive actions that can be taken as early as the design phase contributes to millions spent on redesigning and recertifying.

To effectively combat component unavailability, all teams involved from design to procurement must have access to timely and accurate part data. We’ll explain how cheap components today can become scarce and expensive tomorrow. We will analyze the importance of tradeoffs during the design phase to ensure costs stay within company limits and production isn’t halted due to component unavailability.

The study will conclude by examining the different elements design and procurement teams should continuously monitor to uncover problem parts and how to address issues before it's too late. Engineers should be encouraged to work with other teams and use case management systems that alert buyers to known problems and collaborate on solutions.

Biography: 

Andrew Heath is currently serving as the Digital Solutions Director at Sourceability. Previously, he has led top electronics distribution and information management companies like Arrow, SiliconExpert, and IHS, having over 33 years of experience.