Hard to find electronic component suppliers

8 January 2024

Whistler Technology is a highly accredited team of procurement experts specialising in hard to find, obsolete, shortage, long lead time and legacy electronic components, we can help you solve any component supply issues.

Your Product’s Lifecycle, Obsolete Electronic Components, and Exposure to Risk

Sourcing hard-to-find electronic components can take time, effort and incorporates risk of counterfeit. You can try searching online, contacting component manufacturers directly, contacting independent distributors, attending electronics fairs, using component resellers, and looking at the secondary market - and still not find what you need.

What if you could outsource obtaining hard-to-find and obsolete components?

Whistler provides expert global parts sourcing and a delivery service for hard-to-find and obsolete components. We expertly source electronic components direct from franchise and featured manufacturers, end-of-life, obsolete and liquidated stock. Helping electronics manufacturing OEMs to achieve component cost savings, realise excess stock value and work smarter in a competitive market.

We can find parts or suitable alternatives faster because we have a dedicated global team, focused on sourcing hard-to-find components at the lowest possible prices, so we can keep acquisition costs at a minimum. We conduct BoM health checks to reduce costs and help you remain competitive in challenging environments. Proactively reducing the cost of materials and BoM in electronics assembly and manufacturing.

We have built a global network dedicated to meeting the needs of electronics manufacturers and, buying obsolete components means we carry stocks of end of line components. We also supply electronic components direct from franchise and featured manufacturers, so we are able to shop around and get the best possible prices.

What makes electronic components hard to find?

Limited Supply: Electronic components, especially those used in older or specialised applications could have limited production or may even be discontinued by manufacturers. This scarcity can make it challenging to find a reliable source with available stock.

Obsolete Technology: As technology advances, older electronic components become obsolete and manufacturers cease production. Finding replacements for obsolete components can be particularly difficult, as there may be no direct substitutes.

Long Lead Times: Manufacturers often have long lead times for certain components, especially if they are in high demand or if production is slow. This can result in delays for projects that require specific components.

Global Supply Chain Issues: Various factors, such as geopolitical events, natural disasters, or the current state of global logistics (as seen in times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic), can disrupt the global supply chain. This can affect the availability and delivery of electronic components.

Quality Concerns: When sourcing hard-to-find components, there is an increased risk of encountering counterfeit or substandard products. Some unscrupulous suppliers may take advantage of the scarcity to sell low-quality or even fake components.

Niche Markets: Components used in niche or specialised markets may not have many suppliers, and those that exist may not be well-known or easily accessible. This makes it harder to compare prices and assess the reliability of potential sources.

Customised Solutions: In some cases, electronic components may need to be customised or modified to meet specific project requirements. This adds complexity to the sourcing process and can extend lead times.

Market Dynamics: The electronics market is dynamic, with constant changes in demand and supply. Prices can fluctuate, and availability can vary based on factors such as emerging technologies, industry trends and global economic conditions.

Intellectual Property Issues: Some components or technologies may be protected by intellectual property rights, making it challenging to source them from unauthorised suppliers. This can limit the pool of available sources.

Regulatory Compliance: Components used in certain industries or applications may be subject to strict regulatory requirements. Ensuring compliance with these regulations adds an additional layer of complexity to the sourcing process.

Whistler - your single source partner for intelligent supply chain management

Established in 2001, Whistler was designed to be a single source partner for intelligent supply chain management, providing help and expertise at every stage from the initial design of our customer’s products to volume production and customer despatch of finished goods.

Our team understands the needs of buyers, because we are buyers ourselves, and know that communication, transparency, quality and service are what produce trusting relationships that breed loyalty.

Whistler - your outsourced electronics procurement team.

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