Hey there! That's a really smart question that hits at the heart of modern supply chain challenges. As a purchasing director, you're dealing with the classic dilemma: how much to stock versus how much to risk. Let me share some practical strategies I've seen work well:
First, you need to categorize your Mitsubishi servo drives by criticality. Which ones keep your most important production lines running? For those critical discontinued drives, consider a strategic stockpile - maybe 1-2 units of each critical model. Yes, it ties up capital, but the cost of production downtime is usually much higher than carrying costs.
Second, build relationships with specialized suppliers like EU Automation or Amikong who specialize in discontinued automation parts. They often have access to surplus inventory or can source hard-to-find components. This reduces how much you need to stock yourself.
Third, implement a lifecycle management calendar. Track when Mitsubishi announces discontinuations and plan your last-time buys strategically. For less critical drives, consider cross-referencing to newer models or compatible alternatives.
Fourth, monitor your obsolete inventory percentage regularly. If you see certain discontinued drives aren't failing as expected, you might be able to reduce your stock levels or even sell surplus through specialized marketplaces.
The key is balancing: critical discontinued parts get more stock, while less critical ones get less. And always have backup suppliers lined up for those hard-to-find Mitsubishi servo drives!