Buyers look for help sourcing obsolete parts

Abstract

Most electronics buyers do business with nonfranchised independent distributors either to buy parts that are in short supply or to sell excess inventories. However, many independent distributors can also be good sources for obsolete parts. Some nonfranchised distributors are actually authorized by component manufacturers to sell obsolete semiconductors or other parts. Most independent distributors buy entire inventories of parts from OEMs and contract manufacturers and, often these inventories include a variety of obsolete parts. Products run the gamut from memory chips, to digital signal processors, to microcontrollers, connectors and passives. Obsolete parts are a steady part of independent distributors' businesses.