Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1545666
56 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2026 claiming a component is often significantly lower than the combined cost of: • Sourcing the same device on the open market at inflated prices • Redesigning around an alternative component • Holding up production while waiting for new supply • Scrapping boards or inventory that still con- tain usable value Control Matters as Much as Availability When shortages hit, the market tends to respond in familiar ways: more broker activity, more spot buying, and more urgency. But as sourcing moves further away from authorized channels, concerns around authenticity, traceability, prior handling, and quality assurance tend to increase. In some sectors, that risk can be just as serious as the shortage itself. Recovery and reuse offer a fundamentally differ- ent model by keeping the supply loop closer to the customer. Instead of sourcing unknown material from the market, the customer can recover com- ponents from assemblies and inventory it already knows, owns, and can document. That creates a far greater degree of control over provenance, trace- ability, and chain of custody. Why Standardization Matters If component recovery is to move to an accepted supply chain strategy, confidence in the process is essential. Electronic components are sensi- tive devices, and poor removal or reconditioning practices can introduce damage, alter solder- ability, compromise coplanarity, or create latent reliability concerns. I'm part of a committee drafting a new IPC stan- dard that aims to establish clearer best practices for the safe removal of components. Our commit- tee consists of professionals with hands-on expe- rience in real-world component recovery. We are helping bring a practical perspective to how the standard evolves. That is important because any standard in this area must reflect the realities of working with high-value, often hard-to-source de- vices in environments where quality and traceabil- ity are non-negotiable. in its original form. In the right circumstances, those parts can be safely removed, inspected, recondi- tioned, tested, and returned to stock for reuse. In practical terms, recovery can help companies: • Maintain production when critical parts are unavailable through traditional channels • Reduce exposure to spot-market pricing and broker risk • Extend the usable life of legacy platforms and long-life programs • Create value from inventory and assemblies that might otherwise be written off • Create a more controlled response to shortages, obsolescence, and last-time-buy pressure For aerospace, defense, industrial, transportation, and medical electronics sectors where redesign is slow, qualification is costly, and product lifecycles are long, this matters enormously. The inability to source one specific component can stall a program, delay deliveries, and create significant financial consequences. Recovery and reuse reduce that vulnerability. From Scrap Value to Strategic Value One of the biggest shifts in electronics supply chains is the reclassification of what constitutes "usable inventory." Historically, failed assemblies, obsolete products, surplus boards, and aging stock have often been treated as scrap or low-value material. But in many cases, those assets contain highly valuable semiconductors and other compo- nents that remain functional, difficult to replace, or expensive to source. That changes the economics completely. A board that appears to have little value as a finished as- sembly may contain several high-value components that are still critical to active production programs. Likewise, excess stock from a canceled project may represent a future buffer against obsolescence or supply disruption if those parts can be safely recov- ered, reconditioned, and returned to stores. This is where the commercial value of recovery becomes especially compelling. The cost of re-