Episode 18 - Continuous Improvement Efforts and Different Types Of Waste

Everything looks stable. The KPIs are green, the output is steady, and the processes are documented.

But for many in defence and aerospace, a hidden risk is growing. When the "experts on the floor" the people who touch the components every day stop suggesting improvements, the process doesn't just plateau. It begins to fossilise.

Underutilised people’s skills is often called the "8th waste" of Lean manufacturing. In a sector where we are fighting to extend the life of 40-year-old electronics, this isn’t just an efficiency problem. It’s a decision-defensibility problem.

If your culture doesn't actively invite the "Gemba" to identify the next bottleneck, you are likely carrying a legacy risk that will only become visible when a project hits a critical delay.

In our latest episode of Force Tech Talk, Charlotte Hughes and Eder Fortes discuss why the most valuable asset in your semiconductor life-extension strategy isn't the equipment. It's the permission for your team to use their expertise.

The Discussion Covers:

• Why "experts" often stay silent in high-stakes manufacturing environments.
• Moving from "enforcing change" to "motivating change."
• How internal culture directly impacts the reliability of your supply chain.

The Call to Action: Are you chasing people, or are you chasing tasks?

Watch this full episode to see how we’re addressing the 8th waste at Force Technologies.

About Force Technologies: With 40 years of experience, Force Technologies specialises in providing solutions for obsolete semiconductors. By maintaining a culture of continuous improvement, we ensure that our MRO, Prime, and CEM partners can extend the life of their legacy systems with confidence

Force Tech Talks - Episode 17: Long Term Storage of Electronic Components

Hosted by Charlotte Hughes and Ben Savage

Are you facing component obsolescence challenges? Struggling with last-time buys or trying to figure out how to keep your critical parts safe for the next 10, 15, or even 20 years?

In this episode, we dive deep into long-term storage for electronic components, what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a robust plan that ensures your parts are fit for use when you need them most.

Join us as our Applications Manager, Ben, explains:

• Why long-term storage is one of the most effective ways to combat obsolescence
• The key differences between warehouse storage and secure environmental control
• Which component types are most sensitive to degradation
• Industry standards you need to know (JEDEC, IEC)
• How to maintain full traceability and documentation over decades
• What to consider when choosing a trusted storage partner

Whether you’re dealing with plastic packages, wafers, ceramics, or full assemblies, this episode offers practical advice and real-world strategies for protecting your supply chain and your future builds.

Watch now and find out how to take control of your component lifecycle with confidence.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and check the description for more resources and how to get in touch.

To learn more about obsolescence and packaging solutions, visit https://www.forcetechnologies.co.uk

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