A practical guide for maintenance engineers and buyers looking for discontinued automation components—without delays or guesswork.
Why Obsolete Parts Are Still in Demand
Even in today’s fast-paced world of innovation, many manufacturers still run machinery that’s 10, 15, or even 20+ years old. These machines are reliable and integral to production—but their parts? Often discontinued. When a PLC, HMI, or sensor fails, downtime can be costly, and sourcing replacements isn’t always straightforward.
According to a 2023 report from The Manufacturer, unplanned downtime costs UK manufacturers an average of £180,000 per hour (The Manufacturer, 2023). Sourcing a discontinued part quickly can make the difference between a minor delay and a production crisis.
Common Challenges in Finding Obsolete Parts
Whether you’re a maintenance engineer or procurement lead, you’ve likely faced at least one of these issues:
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Outdated OEM support: Many OEMs no longer supply older models, nor do they provide alternatives.
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Long lead times: Waiting weeks for delivery from overseas suppliers is often not an option.
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High costs or fakes: Online marketplaces may list parts, but pricing can be inflated—or the part might be counterfeit or DOA.
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Lack of technical support: Even if you find the part, verifying compatibility or installation guidance is often impossible.
How to Simplify the Search: 5 Proven Steps
1. Identify the Exact Part Number (and Alternatives)
Make sure you have the correct part number, including revision or series. Cross-check with manuals, datasheets, or service bulletins. If unavailable, identify compatible replacements with the help of an expert.
2. Work with a Specialist Supplier
Look for automation suppliers that focus on obsolete and hard-to-find parts. General distributors often don’t carry end-of-life (EOL) items or can’t guarantee availability.
3. Verify Authenticity & Condition
Always ask about part testing, warranty, and refurbishment status. Reliable suppliers provide photos, data sheets, and condition reports—and back their items with support.
4. Evaluate Lead Times
Is it in stock? Will it ship today or in a week? Many sites list items they don’t physically hold, so always confirm real-time stock.
5. Ask for Sourcing Help
If the item isn’t in stock, see if the supplier can source it for you. A dedicated sourcing service can tap into global networks to locate and verify parts you won’t find online.
Why Partner with Hasuka Automation?
At Hasuka Automation, we specialise in supplying new, used, and refurbished automation parts from leading OEMs like Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Festo, Omron, and Schneider Electric—even when they’re long discontinued.
What sets us apart:
✅ Thousands of obsolete parts in stock, ready for same-day shipping from the UK
✅ Global sourcing network for fast part location and procurement
✅ Fully tested and verified components with warranty
✅ Dedicated support from product experts and engineers
✅ Refurbished industrial machines and automation systems also available
Whether it’s a single PLC module or a complete control panel, we make finding obsolete parts simple, fast, and reliable.
Real-World Example
A UK-based food manufacturer experienced a sudden failure of their Festo CPV14 valve manifold, a discontinued part critical to their production line. With no spare on site and downtime mounting by the hour, they reached out to Hasuka Automation. Fortunately, we had the part in stock and ready to go. Thanks to our emergency same-day delivery service, we shipped the component immediately, helping them restore operations within hours and avoid the heavy costs of extended downtime or system replacement.
Get the Hard-to-Find Parts—Fast
If you're facing a machine fault and need an urgent part—or just want to prepare your spares inventory—Hasuka is here to help. Our sourcing expertise means you don't waste time chasing listings or risk buying the wrong part.
➡️ Contact our team today to request a part or get a sourcing quote.
References
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The Manufacturer. (2023). UK manufacturers lose £180,000 per hour due to unplanned downtime.
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Rockwell Automation. (2022). Modernization and Lifecycle Services.
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Automation World. (2021). Tips for sourcing discontinued automation parts.
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Hasuka Automation. (2025). Industrial Automation Components and Machines. Available here.