On the Flip Side

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the aerospace, medical, automotive and industrial sectors are confronted with the critical issue of shrinking component lifespans impacting the longevity of the equipment they’re incorporated. Flip Electronics’ expansion across EMEA will bring critical expertise in obsolete and end-of-life semiconductors and electronic components to OEMs looking to efficiently source factory-authorized electronic components that enable them to reliably and effectively extend their products’ lifecycles.

Flip Electronics has emerged as one of the fastest-growing authorised distributors by effectively tackling the longstanding challenge of product obsolescence customers and suppliers face. The rapid pace of technological advancements often results in the abandonment of older components. However, product obsolescence poses a significant concern for sectors such as military, aerospace, and industrial, where product lifecycles frequently span 10 to 25 years. Flip Electronics has flipped the obsolescence model on its head, embodied by our motto, ‘Making Obsolescence Obsolete’.

In the electronics sector, semiconductor cycles—both up and down—reflect a natural pattern. During prosperous times, allocation difficulties arise, causing OEMs to scramble for the necessary part numbers to develop their products. Some resort to untested and unfranchised sources to meet their demands. This practice increases the risk of counterfeit or compromised components infiltrating the final application, ultimately jeopardizing the product’s integrity. All these efforts are made with the genuine intention of keeping manufacturing active.

The aerospace and automotive industries rely on technology to ensure performance, safety and longevity. With advanced systems such as avionics, braking systems, autonomous driving modules and engine control units (ECUs) forming the backbone of these sectors, counterfeit electronic components present a significant risk.

Medical devices don’t come cheap. With MRI machines, PET/CT scanners, surgical robotics and other technologically sophisticated equipment running into millions of dollars, healthcare providers are keen to use them as long as possible. It’s a targetrich environment for counterfeiters who know they’ll be in the market for repair and replacement parts when a component fails—most inconveniently after the component manufacturer stops production.

Supply chain cybersecurity tends to sometimes take a back seat to other critical business activities. Then something hits the headlines—and electronics OEMs are reminded that they are a juicy target for cybercriminals. They are really good at what they do and they are getting better.

Teledyne e2v HiRel Electronics, a leading provider of high-reliability semiconductor solutions, announced a new partnership with Flip Electronics, a prominent distributor based in Alpharetta, Georgia.  Under the new agreement, Flip Electronics will maintain substantial inventories of Teledyne e2v HiRel’s semiconductor wafers for military applications, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of critical components.

The potential for AI technologies is vast, with the market reaching $200 billion in 2023, according to Statista. By the end of the decade, this figure is expected to grow substantially, with IDC predicting worldwide spending on AI to reach $632 billion by 2028—a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29% between 2024 and 2028.

Inc. revealed today that Flip Electronics ranks No. 3,006 on the 2024 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. This marks the fifth consecutive year Flip Electronics has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000, with previous rankings at No. 842 (2023), No. 1,831 (2022), No. 1,024 (2021), and No. 343 (2020), demonstrating consistent growth with a 166% increase over the past three years. This prestigious ranking, now in its 43rd edition, is considered America’s entrepreneurial benchmark. The list ranks companies based on three years of revenue growth, with Flip Electronics standing out in a highly competitive field. 

Flip Electronics is proud to announce that it has been ranked 18th in the Upper Middle Market category at the 2024 Georgia Fast 40 Awards, presented by ACG Atlanta, the Atlanta Chapter of The Association for Corporate Growth®. This prestigious recognition honors the fastest-growing middle-market companies in Georgia, celebrating their significant contributions to the state's economy.

Finally, the electronics market has shifted from stretching lead times and uncertainty to what can only be called a buyers’ market. It’s a time to enjoy better pricing and terms than we’ve seen for a long time. At the same time, this is a phase — and phases don’t last forever. Nor do shortages and unfavorable times.

Dr. Bill Bradford, President of Flip Electronics, joins us in this Innovation Destination - Executives Perspectives episode to discuss the state of the semiconductor and electronic component industry. From obsolescence solutions to component demand and growth factors, domestic chip manufacturing and more, Dr. Bradford shares his insight and expertise on what stakeholders in the market must be prepared for come 2025.

Artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities are showing up in a variety of business apps, promising a panacea for those who want someone else to do the writing, drawing, thinking — who want someone else to do the work. At its best, though, AI has the capacity to shift workers, and especially supply chain workers, from mundane repetitive tasks to more strategic endeavors. That’s where the biggest gains really exist.

The buzz surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) in the supply chain isn't mere noise; it's evolving into a substantial dialogue—one that could spell the difference between triumph and defeat. AI is taking center stage, and companies are grappling with how to harness its power to enhance supply chain efficiency. To resist would be foolhardy.

In this episode of the Electropages Podcast, Robin is joined by Gary Beckstedt, VP of Quality and Warehouse Operations at Flip Electronics. The main focus is on the serious issue of counterfeit electronics in the industry. 

Counterfeit electronic components are one of the leading threats to the integrity of the electronics supply chain. A rigorous approach to sourcing and due diligence once parts arrive can help keep fraudulent components out of finished goods. So can staying abreast of counterfeiters’ latest tools of the trade. To help electronics companies and their customers identify and mitigate the risk of counterfeits in their supply chain, Flip Electronics published its latest e-book, “Counteracting Counterfeiting: The Value of Authorized Distribution.”

Flip Electronics’ president, Bill Bradford, details investments including the acquisition of Resurgent Semiconductor and imminent launch of a new e-commerce engine.

Today, host Robin Mitchell is joined by Duker Dapper, VP and GM of Resurgent Manufacturing Services (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flip Electronics) and Bill Bradford, President of Flip Electronics, to discuss bridging the gap between the lifecycles of semiconductor components and the lifecycles of the products that rely on them, Flip’s new strategic partnership with Ampleon and its impact on semiconductor obsolescence.

For certain vertical markets, the shortening semiconductor lifecycle may be the largest procurement headache for integrated circuit users. In defense, aerospace, industrial and automotive industries, products are manufactured and supported for decades. The handful of years that the average chip is built just isn’t sufficient. Careful planning and building the right relationships with a partner who has the experience and connections to extend product lifecycles is the best and perhaps the only way to succeed.

Semiconductor lifecycles are shrinking. Meanwhile, certain industries rely on being able to capture decades of semiconductor component availability. When the semiconductor lifecycle to end-product lifecycle ratio gets skewed, electronics OEMs need to get creative when working with their supply partners to ensure the right parts keep coming through the door.