Obsolescence has become a major risk for industry today.

Supporting industrial companies in addressing electronic equipment obsolescence is part of Cofiem’s day-to-day business. To gain a better understanding of the challenges faced in the field and the solutions implemented, we spoke with Gabriel Laissus, Sales Manager.

Through his experience, Gabriel, Sales Manager at Cofiem, shares his perspective on the challenges faced by industrial companies when critical equipment becomes difficult to source or is no longer manufactured.

Supporting Industrial Companies in Managing Obsolete Equipment

Gabriel works closely with industrial companies facing electronic equipment obsolescence challenges.

"I support industrial companies when they encounter issues related to industrial electronic components that have become obsolete or difficult to source. My role is to provide a reliable solution quickly in order to secure production continuity and minimize machine downtime."

In many industrial sectors, spare parts availability has become a strategic issue. When a programmable logic controller (PLC), variable speed drive, or operator panel reaches end-of-life, lead times can quickly become incompatible with production requirements.

Dedicated Expertise in Industrial Electronic Equipment Supply

For more than 30 years, Cofiem has supported industrial companies in maintaining operational continuity through the refurbishment and supply of industrial electronic equipment.

"Cofiem specializes in the supply of refurbished industrial electronic equipment, primarily programmable logic controllers, operator panels, variable speed drives, and critical electronic boards used in production lines."

These components are often no longer manufactured by the original equipment manufacturers, despite remaining essential to the operation of industrial installations.

Thanks to its technical expertise, specialized workshops, and extensive inventory of references, Cofiem enables industrial companies to source equipment compatible with their existing installed base.

A Practical Solution to Industrial Obsolescence Challenges

When faced with equipment obsolescence, several options are available: upgrading an entire installation, undertaking a retrofit project, or implementing solutions that extend the lifespan of existing equipment.

For Gabriel, the supply of refurbished industrial electronic equipment offers an effective and rapid response.

"We enable industrial companies to source components that have been inspected, tested, and validated in our workshops before shipment. Rather than completely modifying an installation and making a significant investment, we provide refurbished industrial electronic equipment that is fully compatible with existing systems."

This approach helps to:

• Reduce production downtime;
• Extend machine lifespan;
• Limit unplanned investments;
• Secure existing equipment;
• Maintain operational continuity.

When Should You Contact Cofiem?

The most common requests involve failures on equipment that has become obsolete.

"Mainly when an obsolete PLC, variable speed drive, or operator panel fails and is no longer available from the manufacturer. In such situations, every hour of downtime can be extremely costly."

When a production line is halted, responsiveness becomes critical. Quickly obtaining a compatible replacement part can prevent significant losses and restore operations as fast as possible.

Anticipating Rather Than Enduring Obsolescence

Industrial obsolescence is now a reality for most production sites. Many legacy references are gradually reaching end-of-support status or are no longer being manufactured.

For Gabriel, the challenge is clear:

"Obsolescence is now a major risk for industry, as it can lead to costly production downtime. However, reliable solutions exist, such as the supply of refurbished electronic equipment, to extend the lifespan of production lines."

Beyond emergency situations, anticipation remains the most effective strategy. Identifying vulnerable equipment, securing critical references, and planning replacement solutions help reduce risks and ensure the long-term sustainability of industrial installations.

Looking for an Obsolete Reference?

Are you searching for a programmable logic controller, variable speed drive, operator panel, or electronic board that is no longer available from the manufacturer?

The Cofiem team can support you in sourcing and supplying refurbished industrial electronic equipment to secure your installations and maintain production continuity.