The industry organization COGD (Component Obsolescence Group Germany) has elected a new Board of Directors for a two-year term to increase the industry's awareness of obsolescence risks.
They will form the top management of the Component Obsolescence Group Deutschland for the next two years (from left): Dieter Paatsch, CEO Axel Wagner, the previous CEO Dr. Wolfgang Heinbach ... (Image: COGD)With the new chairman Axel Wagner (Prettl Electronics Automotive), his deputy Joachim Tosberg (RAFI Group), treasurer Oliver Hoffmann, (SiliconExpert Technologies), Dr. Wolfgang Heinbach (Syliom Unternehmensberatung), Tim Kohlen (America II Europe), Stefanie Koelbl (TQ-Systems), Frank Mützner (Plastic Omnium Lighting Systems) and Dieter Paatsch (Festo), COGD is facing up to the challenges of a high-tech world in which even the absence of a tiny electronic component can cause enormous economic damage. For 18 years, COGD's 163 member companies have been developing strategies and measures to minimize the impact of obsolescence. As examples, the COGD cites an initiative to internationalize the smartPCN standard into IEC 62402 as well as cooperation with the law firm ReachLaw and trade associations such as the FED.
... the Deputy Chairman of the Board Joachim Tosberg, Treasurer Oliver Hoffmann and Frank Mützner (from left to right). Not pictured, but also part of the Executive Board: Stefanie Kölbl and Tim Kohlen (Image: COGD)Deputy CEO Joachim Tosberg emphasizes the increasing importance of obsolescence management for industrial manufacturing companies. According to Tosberg, obsolescence is not only caused by the discontinuation of electronic components, but also by a lack of raw materials and semi-finished products. Stricter environmental laws and regulations such as REACH and the Supply Chain Act (see PLUS 02/2023, p. 204 ff.) pose challenges for the industry. The increasing lack of qualified personnel, software components that are no longer maintained and the issue of cyber security also give cause for concern. In view of increasing obsolescence risks, it is also necessary to "ensure the availability of the required resources at all company levels" in the long term.
