The success of electronic product manufacturing depends largely on the quality and availability of its components. However, by 2025, the supply of electronic components has become a real challenge: longer lead times, rising prices, traceability issues and growing expectations in terms of sustainability.
In this context, sourcing electronic components is no longer a simple purchasing activity. It is a strategic approach that directly influences the competitiveness, resilience and responsible image of companies.
So, how can you effectively approach the sourcing of your electronic components? What are the risks, but also the opportunities to be seized?
What is electronic component sourcing?
The sourcing of electronic components involves identifying, selecting and securing the supply of parts needed to design and manufacture an electronic product.
Unlike a one-off purchase, sourcing is a strategic approach:
- it is based on a long-term vision,
- it incorporates technical, economic and regulatory criteria,
- It guarantees the availability of components throughout the product’s life cycle.
At the heart of this approach is the electronic Bill of Materials (BOM). A veritable technical ‘recipe’, it details all the components needed to design a product. A well-constructed BOM makes it possible to anticipate supply constraints and define a solid sourcing plan.
👉 To learn more: discover our 5-step guide to electronic BOMs.
How does the purchase of electronic components work?
Sourcing is not limited to finding a supplier: it is based on a chain of structured steps.
- Requirements analysis: identifying critical components and necessary volumes based on product design.
- Supplier research and qualification: assessing their reliability, certifications and production capacities.
- Negotiation: price, delivery times, logistics arrangements.
- Monitoring and control: securing deliveries, anticipating the risk of shortages, checking the quality of batches received.
The choice of an industrial partner plays a key role. It must offer both a local presence in Europe and privileged access to international markets, particularly in Asia, where global semiconductor production is concentrated.
👉 Find out more: Altyor, industrial partner between France and China
The major challenges of electronic sourcing in 2025
In 2025, the sourcing of electronic components faces several major challenges:
- Market volatility: semiconductors and microcontrollers remain subject to supply constraints, with lead times exceeding 40 weeks in some cases.
- Electronic sovereignty in Europe: companies are seeking to reduce their dependence on Asian markets while remaining price competitive.
- Traceability and compliance: compliance with international standards (RoHS, REACH, cybersecurity) and the need to prove the origin of components to meet regulatory and customer requirements.
These challenges transform sourcing into a genuine strategic lever. Companies that anticipate this gain in resilience and competitiveness.
Towards responsible and sustainable sourcing
Beyond economic considerations, sourcing must now incorporate a responsible dimension.
- Companies are increasingly being assessed on their environmental footprint and their contribution to a circular economy.
- Investors and customers demand transparency: where do your components come from? Under what conditions are they manufactured?
- Regulations reinforce the need to work with compliant and ethical suppliers.
But can we really talk about eco-friendly electronic components?
The truth is more nuanced: the production of a component remains energy-intensive and consumes scarce resources. It also consumes a great deal of water, particularly for the production of microchips.
However, it is possible to:
- give preference to suppliers who optimise their carbon footprint,
- promote recyclable materials,
- integrate repairability and second life into product design.
Altyor’s concrete actions for an ethical supply chain
At Altyor, we have developed a network of trusted partners thanks to a solid track record of strong relationships with our suppliers. This enables us to implement concrete practices, including:
- Compliance with conflict minerals regulations: we require our suppliers to apply strict rules regarding the sourcing of raw materials used in electronic components.
👉 Learn more about our responsible sourcing policies - Smart relocation of flows: we prioritise sourcing as close as possible to production sites. In practical terms, this means that we source in Asia for production in Asia, and in Europe for European production. This strategy avoids unnecessary air or sea transport, thereby reducing logistics costs and our carbon footprint.
- Eco-design and DFM: beyond the choice of components, Altyor designs its products by integrating eco-design and Design for Manufacturing principles from the outset. This optimises raw material consumption, facilitates assembly and extends product life. The result: more sustainable, less costly solutions that are adapted to industrial realities.
These actions are part of our commitment to offering competitive and responsible sourcing that is aligned with our customers’ CSR objectives.
How to optimise the supply of electronic components?
Beyond cost, true optimisation requires sustainability and risk management.
Reducing and controlling costs
- Optimised BOM: reduce unnecessary references and standardize components.
- Pooling purchases: benefit from volume effects.
- Digital tools: use Industry 4.0 solutions to simulate costs and anticipate fluctuations.
👉 Read: Bill of Materials & Industry 4.0.
Managing shortages and unforeseen circumstances
- Multi-sourcing: not relying on a single supplier for a critical component.
- Product redesign: adapting electronic cards to incorporate equivalents in the event of failure.
- Expert partner: an experienced manufacturer (such as Altyor) can anticipate risks, secure the supply chain and offer you reliable alternatives.
Optimising sourcing is therefore both a tool for competitiveness and a safeguard against crises.
From constraint to opportunity: rethinking component purchasing
By 2025, sourcing electronic components will no longer be a constraint: it will be a strategic lever. When properly managed, it will enable you to:
- Secure your supplies,
- Reduce your costs,
- Meet CSR requirements,
- Strengthen the resilience of your supply chain.
👉 At Altyor, we support our customers in sourcing and optimising their electronic BOMs, combining industrial expertise, networks of qualified suppliers and responsible commitment.