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lifecycle is already gone, which makes long-term availability even harder to manage. Rochester helps tackle this challenge by providing
continuity of supply. With over 15 billion devices in stock, one of the largest in-house inventories in the world, we can support both immediate needs and long-term planning. Engineers can order products today and schedule future deliveries to match their production forecasts. We manage the logistics so customers can focus on their end products with confi dence year after year. But it is not just about inventory. Rochester also has
manufacturing capabilities. If a device is no longer available anywhere on the market, we can manufacture it ourselves, keeping it available without forcing a redesign. Partnership is also key. We work closely with customers to spot potential risks long before they become problems. Critical board-level components like DSPs, FPGAs, MCUs, memory devices and power components can become obsolete, and even package types may be discontinued, creating unexpected headaches for designers. By engaging early, we get a clear picture of how customers use specifi c components. We then share these insights with OCMs to plan authorised supply and manufacturing strategies. The result is a collaborative approach that helps customers, Rochester and OCMs work together to manage obsolescence and keep long-term programmes running smoothly.
What advice would you give to design and development engineers, and to OEMs, regarding obsolescence? Obsolescence is inevitable, so early planning is essential. Today, when components become obsolete, the end customer gets very little notice period which can be as little as four to six months, compared with 18 months in the past. This compressed timeline makes proactive management critical. So planning is essential! Engineers and OEMs should assess lifecycle risks early, engage trusted supply partners, and plan for continuity through long-term inventory or authorised manufacturing to avoid costly redesigns and ensure product longevity.
When customers use your parts in their designs, do they need to re-certify their products or re-fi le their paperwork? In most cases, no. If a customer is simply replacing a part from stock, they are effectively using the original component, so it’s considered a product continuation. There is no difference for them, and no re-certifi cation is required. It’s a little different when we manufacture the part. As I mentioned earlier, Rochester-manufactured parts are made exactly to the original manufacturer’s specifi cations. The only difference is that they carry the Rochester badge. On the board, these parts behave exactly the same as the originals.
In cases where paperwork is required, it’s usually a simple self-
certifi cation. The customer confi rms that they have tested and verifi ed the parts and that they perform identically. It’s more of a formality than a full re-test or re-certifi cation.
Do you ever make a product obsolete at Rochester? You mentioned stock of some 15 billion parts, which is enormous. Do you remove some of them and when? It is very rare for us to make parts obsolete, mainly because of the size of our stock and our ability to manufacture products ourselves. In practical terms, we can supply components indefi nitely. That said, there are occasional cases where a part does become obsolete, but this only happens in a very small percentage of cases. When it does, we make sure to give customers plenty of notice. We contact them directly and give them the chance to place last orders. Unlike OCMs, which tend to announce obsolescence in large batches, we handle it on a personal level. Over the years, we’ve built strong relationships with our customers, and we make sure they have the time and information they need to plan ahead.
What trends and challenges do you see in 2026? Obsolescence is not going away, and it is likely to become even more challenging as technology advances, especially with AI driving products forward at a rapid pace. Semiconductor manufacturers need to make room for new devices, which often means older ones are phased out. For many customers, this creates real challenges, making proactive planning essential. We work closely with our customers to stay ahead of obsolescence. Depending on the programme, we hold quarterly, six-monthly, or annual reviews to understand their needs and provide updates on what we are seeing in the marketplace. AI will have a major impact in 2026, and it will also put pressure on other, non-AI platforms. From our side, we continue to invest heavily in our manufacturing capability, expanding the number of lines and products we can support. Over the coming years, we plan to grow our capacity four-fold. This scale and ability to manufacture products in-house is what makes Rochester unique in the industry.
For more information visit –
www.rocelec.com
www.electronicsworld.co.uk December 2025/January 2026 07
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