“Obsolescence isn’t a problem to fear. It’s a reality to plan for.”
— Leroy Spence, Founder, Obso Global
In his latest commentary, Leroy Spence, hwho has spent over 15 years sourcing rare and obsolete automation parts for manufacturers worldwide, shares his view on how the industry is changing and what plants can do to stay ahead.
Obsolescence is inevitable, but downtime doesn’t have to be
Every manufacturer will face it: the day your supplier says “that part’s discontinued.”
But the way you prepare for that conversation is changing fast.
At Obso, we’ve watched the life cycles of Siemens, Allen Bradley and other major brands shorten year after year.
New generations launch quicker; support windows close sooner.
The future belongs to companies who plan for obsolescence as a business process — not a surprise.
What’s driving the faster product life cycles
- Technology shift: Ethernet protocols, IoT integration and AI‑ready controllers arrive faster than ever.
- Component availability: global chip and supply‑chain constraints mean OEMs drop older lines sooner.
- Sustainability pressures: manufacturers trim support for legacy models to meet energy and ESG targets.
- Digital standardisation: OEMs want everyone on their latest software ecosystem.
In short, change now happens quicker than machines wear out.
How manufacturers can prepare today
- Audit your automation assets, map every PLC, HMI and drive with part number and firmware.
- Rank critical lines – which machines stop the business if they halt?
- Check OEM life‑cycle status, “Active,” “Mature,” “Discontinued,” “Obsolete.”
- Source backup spares now, while pricing is stable and stock exists.
- Build a trusted supplier network, partners who test and trace hardware, not just resell it.
This approach turns obsolescence from an emergency into planned maintenance.
A shift from reactive to preventive procurement
Historically, maintenance teams called for support only when hardware failed.
Now, forward‑thinking engineering managers treat spare‑part availability like any other supply‑chain risk.
By forecasting which automation families are nearing end‑of‑life, they can order strategically, avoid price surges, and keep lines running uninterrupted.
That mindset is spreading fast across industries, from pharma to packaging, and it’s becoming a competitive advantage.
The role of specialist sourcing partners
Ten years ago, finding an obsolete PLC meant hours of phone calls and guesswork.
Today, you can hand that job to specialists like my team here at Obso Automation who already have the network, testing facilities and logistics in place.
“Our customers don’t come to us because their system is old; they come because they know downtime costs more than preparation. We connect the dots between legacy hardware and today’s production demands.”
— Leroy Spence
We see ourselves as part of our customers’ supply chains, keeping legacy Siemens and Allen Bradley systems alive while they focus on productivity.
What the next five years look like
- Shorter OEM support windows, expect 5–7 years instead of 10 +.
- More mixed environments, old PLCs talking to new cloud‑connected devices.
- Critical need for data management, knowing what you own and where it is installed.
- Growth of refurb and circular supply chains, tested and traceable refurbs becoming mainstream.
Obsolescence will always exist, but access to parts will only get smarter.
Final thought
The future of industrial automation belongs to manufacturers who plan ahead and partner well.
With the right data, spares strategy and support network, you’ll face inevitable change without stress.
Obso exists to make that planning simple, keeping legacy systems productive and profitable for years to come.
Need a strategy for parts now nearing end‑of‑life? Send us your installed base list we’ll flag risks and find the spares before they disappear.
About the Author
Leroy Spence
Founder and Managing Director, Obso Automation
Leroy Spence has spent more than fifteen years helping manufacturers worldwide keep legacy automation systems alive.
From Siemens and Allen Bradley PLCs to rare CNC controllers and drives, his team specialises in finding the parts OEMs no longer support reducing downtime and saving clients time and money.
When he’s not solving supply challenges, you’ll find him talking to engineers on the factory floor or building new relationships across Obso’s international supplier network or building pioneering systems to support his customers.