Industrial Equipment Obsolescence Management in 2026: A Practical Guide for OEMs
Industrial equipment is often designed to operate for many years, but the electronic components, software, and control systems inside it may not remain available for the same length of time. A PLC module can be discontinued, an industrial display can become difficult to source, or a semiconductor used in a control board can reach the end of its production life. For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), these changes create a serious challenge: how can machines remain reliable, serviceable, and commercially viable when their original components are no longer available? Industrial equipment obsolescence management provides a structured way to identify these risks, assess their impact, and plan corrective action before component shortages disrupt production or customer support. In 2026, the issue is receiving increased attention across manufacturing. A July 2026 report from PMMI, based on industry surveys and interviews, identified rising obsolescence events and highlighted the ...
