COGD Expo 2026
Minimizing Obsolescence Risks in Times of Crisis
Visitors to the COGD Expo 2026, organized by the non-profit industry association COGD (Component Obsolescence Group Deutschland) e.V., will have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of obsolescence management on July 1, 2026, at the CongressForum Frankenthal.
This year, 22 COGD member companies and cooperation partners will present highly efficient proactive and reactive strategies, products, and services for the professional handling of obsolescence issues. The range of offerings includes data-based analysis and monitoring tools, various sourcing strategies and resilient supply chain approaches, as well as lifecycle services, testing, and proven implementation concepts for development and production.
The in-house exhibition will be complemented by three expert presentations. Mike Pepping, Head of In-Service Support & Digitalization at Rheinmetall Air Defence, will describe the path toward professional obsolescence management. Lars Kiera, Managing Director of RTS Electronic, will explain how sourcing from an independent supplier works, while Dieter Paatsch, Specialist for Component Management and Product Compliance at Festo, will speak about new challenges facing obsolescence management in increasingly volatile markets. The current trigger for this discussion is a socio-economic long-term forecasting model created with AI support, capable of predicting future developments such as increasing destabilization of supply chains up to massive and permanent disruptions.
Due to capacity limitations, visitors wishing to attend the COGD Expo 2026, open on July 1, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., must register in advance via the COGD website at http://cod-d.de/veranstaltungen/ no later than June 15, 2026.
What It’s About
Suddenly discontinued or otherwise unavailable electronic components and parts, restricted access to critical raw materials and substances, supply chains disrupted by war or environmental influences, loss of know-how due to staff turnover or retirement, software programs that can no longer be updated, stricter environmental regulations, and increasingly aggressive cyberattacks on internal data and processes — companies seeking to protect themselves as effectively as possible from these and other obsolescence risks are now confronted with a wide variety of challenges that increasingly require a coordinated strategic approach.
The Goal of Expo 2026
According to COGD Chairman Axel Wagner, the declared goal of COGD Expo 2026 is to encourage even more managers, purchasers, and developers at the executive level to engage more intensively, proactively, and strategically with potential obsolescence risks within their companies.
The large number of unforeseen negative developments over the past six years has already led to significantly fewer companies naively trusting in the perpetual functioning of established supply chains. Nevertheless, experience shows that in day-to-day business operations, the principle of hope still too often prevails.
“When you consider that, particularly for long-life equipment and systems, more than 50 percent of total costs incurred over the entire product lifecycle can already be directly or indirectly attributed to various forms of obsolescence, such an approach is almost like playing Russian roulette,” says Alexander Wagner. “Some market participants still do not seem to realize that, in the worst-case scenario, even a single missing component can have existential consequences. As COGD, we want to counteract this by enabling visitors to gain comprehensive information about all aspects of obsolescence issues within a single day through direct dialogue with dozens of top-level experts.”
This year, 22 COGD member companies and cooperation partners will present highly efficient proactive and reactive strategies, products, and services for professional obsolescence management. The offerings range from data-based analysis and monitoring tools to a wide variety of sourcing strategies and resilient supply chain approaches, as well as lifecycle services, testing, and proven implementation concepts for development and production.
Participating Companies
• Accuris (obsolescence and component database)
• Amsys – a Z2Data company (software and consulting for obsolescence and lifecycle management)
• Asteelflash Germany (EMS services)
• btv technologies (long-term storage, obsolescence management, and auditable component logistics)
• Converge (independent distributor of electronic components)
• DMB Technics (customized display and HMI solutions)
• factronix (refurbishment of obsolete components and testing services)
• Fixchips Germany (independent distributor of electronic components)
• HTV Alter Technology (testing and long-term storage of electronic components)
• Intercept Technology (corrosion protection and packaging concepts)
• Kamaka Electronic Bauelemente (distributor for hi-rel components and obsolescence solutions)
• PCN Global (PCN management)
• Pegasus Components (independent distributor of electronic components)
• Rochester Electronics (authorized EOL and lifecycle distribution of semiconductors)
• RoodMicrotec (testing and qualification of components)
• RTS Electronic (procurement and logistics of electronic components)
• SI Electronics (global sourcing of electronic components)
• SiliconExpert (obsolescence and component database)
• Sourceability (electronics distribution)
• TQ-Systems (EMS services)
• Würth Elektronik eiSos (manufacture and distribution of electronic components)
• Z2Data LLC (obsolescence and component database)
Detailed information about the association’s activities and further initiatives of Component Obsolescence Group Deutschland e.V. can be found on the COGD homepage.
