Flip Electronics’ president, Bill Bradford, explains how partnering with authorized distributors can secure authentic parts, mitigate risk and preserve long-term mission readiness.

As a leading authorized distributor and extended-life manufacturer, we tackle the critical challenge of component obsolescence for industries like aerospace, medical, automotive, defense, and industrial, where product lifecycles often span 10–25 years, far outlasting the production cycle of the components they rely on.

When a critical part winds up on a component manufacturer’s end-of-life (EOL) notification list, it sets off a scramble to locate quantities in the market already, identify and test alternatives, or kick off a redesign. None is ideal. The time, expense, and headache of sourcing components at that point also come with other risks — grey market parts of questionable provenance, production delays, and the inability to repair equipment, to name just a few.

For engineers and technicians seeking to replace components in legacy equipment, understanding product naming conventions is critical. Countless spin-offs and acquisitions in the semiconductor sector complicate the task — and those with the institutional knowledge needed to decipher the alphabet soup of prefixes, suffixes, and numerical codes that comprise product names are retiring at a rapid clip.

The challenge of semiconductor obsolescence persists, and the rate of end-of-life (EOL) notices is not likely to slow anytime soon. The semiconductor industry’s push toward consolidation, combined with significant investments in advanced chip manufacturing, creates hurdles for those depending on a steady, long-term supply of specific older components.

Flip Electronics’ president, Bill Bradford, explains how partnering with authorized distributors can secure authentic parts, mitigate risk and preserve long-term mission readiness.

Complex military and aerospace equipment designed for long-term use is engineered in accordance with strictly defined requirements, from precise tolerances and detailed certifications to meticulous safety and testing specifications. When a semiconductor manufacturer signals that they will no longer produce a component intrinsic to the design, a critical question ensues: find an alternative source of authentic inventory or initiate a redesign.

How emerging technologies, global challenges and strategic adaptations are reshaping electronic component distribution.

Does purchasing a semiconductor from an unauthorized source of supply and having it tested at an independent lab provide the same level of quality as purchasing from an authorized source of supply?

Does purchasing a semiconductor from an unauthorized source of supply and having it tested at an independent lab provide the same level of quality as purchasing from an authorized source of supply?

In a recent webinar hosted by Procurement Pro, a group of industry experts gathered together to discuss how the US tariffs are reshaping the electronics supply chain.

At Flip Electronics, we believe in "Making Obsolescence Obsolete." While technology evolves and components reach the end of their lifecycle, we have developed a twofold strategy to address this challenge.

With all the attention swirling around advanced technologies, it’s understandable that product designers and engineers find the temptation to default to next-generation components almost irresistible. But the Next Big Thing isn’t always the Next Necessary Thing, even with competitors lurking in every corner. Winning in the market isn’t always about being at the bleeding edge—it’s about addressing customers’ pain points with solutions they can afford to deploy.

Does purchasing a semiconductor from an unauthorized source of supply and having it tested at an independent lab provide the same level of quality as purchasing from an authorized source of supply?

The tariff landscape is evolving daily under the current U.S. administration, and no one knows where we will be when things calm down. It’s fair to assume, though, that tariffs will exist and that purchasing pros will need to stay informed about how these changing financial realities may need to be addressed. 

With ongoing technological innovation, manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, industrial, and medical sectors who design products for long-term use often face production and repair challenges as semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturers phase out essential parts. These challenges are not only disruptive but often unavoidable, as component manufacturers prioritize new product development, leaving manufacturers to navigate the complex and resource-intensive process of sourcing replacements. 

The looming likelihood of new, incremental tariffs designed to balance global trade in essential industries has prompted manufacturers, suppliers and customers alike, to consider contingency plans if their supply of raw materials, parts, and electronic components are disrupted or become too costly. Navigating these complex and evolving tariff dynamics can be challenging to plan for, but manufacturers can take proactive steps to prepare for potential changes and mitigate risks.

Few industries evolve faster than technology. The rapid pace of innovation, increasing complexity and an insatiable desire for ever-more-advanced semiconductors is enough to keep any electronics purchasing professional up at night—especially those dealing with the impending obsolescence of critical components. Semiconductors that are essential to a product’s design and functionality may eventually be discontinued, leaving manufacturers and repair professionals scrambling to find alternatives.

Some pundits are a bit lukewarm in making predictions for the electronics industry for the coming year. Moderate growth at best some say. However, my stance is more bullish. 2025 is going to be a good year—and 2026 will bring our industry unmatched success. The industry has learned some lessons about the need for resilience and diversification. New technologies such as artificial intelligence are pushing things forward both in terms of supply chain technology and technology trends.  Stable markets are likely to stay stable and high-growth markets will do better than we expect.

For at least eight quarters, pundits and market watchers have been trying to call the bottom of the dip for the electronics industry, without success. In the fourth quarter of 2024, though, we've finally hit the bottom of the cycle for the industry at large. Signs are pointing to a return to growth in the coming year and a blockbuster year in 2026.