Avoiding a Costly Redesign: How Maketronics Helped an Industrial Automation Firm Save Up to $250,000

The Hidden Cost of an Obsolete Connector

For manufacturers, one obsolete component can derail production, leading to delays, re-engineering costs, and lost revenue.

A US-based industrial automation company faced this exact scenario when they discovered that the TE Connectivity 225398-7 connector, a critical part of their control systems, was no longer available in the market. Without it, they were looking at a full system rework, which could have cost them $150,000–$250,000 in engineering changes, new tooling, and re-certifications.

Why This Connector Was Irreplaceable

The 225398-7 connector is essential for signal integrity and power delivery in industrial automation, robotics, and control panels. Replacing it would have required:

🔧 Re-designing circuit boards

🛠 Reconfiguring assembly processes

📋 Undergoing new regulatory approvals

All of this would have delayed production by months and driven up costs significantly.

Maketronics' Solution: Sourcing the Unsourceable

Leveraged our global supplier network to locate verified stock of the obsolete 225398-7 connectors.

Delivered the components in just 4 weeks, keeping production on track.

Helped the company avoid an estimated $150,000–$250,000 in redesign and compliance costs.

The Bottom Line

Had the company gone down the redesign route, they would have faced: ⚠ $150,000–$250,000 in engineering and compliance expenses ⚠ Delays in product launches, impacting revenue ⚠ Potential loss of customers due to extended lead times

Instead, Maketronics sourced the EOL component quickly and efficiently, allowing the company to continue production without costly disruptions.

🔍 Obsolescence is inevitable—but with the right sourcing partner, costly redesigns don’t have to be.

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