How To Reduce Display Supply Chain Risk and Plan for Long-Term Product Success

For OEMs designing products that are meant to last, selecting the right display isn’t just about contrast ratio or interface compatibility; it’s also about long-term availability.

You can choose a reliable supplier, lock in a tested display, and complete your design validation. But then, halfway through your product’s lifecycle, the display goes end-of-life (EOL). Suddenly, you’re facing a cascade of issues, from mechanical redesigns to costly delays.

Engaging with your suppliers early in the process is a proactive step that can provide reassurance and mitigate risks. It's a strategy that can protect your product lifecycle, a hidden risk in display sourcing that too many engineering teams overlook.

The Real Cost of Display Obsolescence

Display obsolescence creates technical, operational, and financial challenges that ripple through the entire company.

Once a display is discontinued, you may need to:

• Redesign the housing to fit a new module
• Adjust software or firmware for new interface protocols
• Revalidate the hardware for EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), safety, and functional compliance
• Rewrite documentation and update user instructions
• Submit new compliance certifications or restart regulatory testing

These are the engineering costs, but other, more serious consequences impact your profitability even more.

• Disrupted production timelines
• Inventory write-offs
• Missed delivery windows
• Customer dissatisfaction
• Lost revenue

If you’re building industrial automation tools, innovative building devices, medical equipment, or rugged field instruments, you expect your product to stay in production for at least 10 years. These lifecycle challenges can be excruciating.

Why Supply Chain Risk Is A Display-Level Concern

Supply chain disruption begins at the component level, not raw materials or freight issues. Display components, especially modules with custom backlights, glass sizes, or controller chips, are among the most vulnerable.

According to industry analysts, up to 37% of components become obsolete without warning, leaving engineers with little to no lead time to source alternatives. In the display industry, changes in panel fabs, controller IC availability, or manufacturer portfolio shifts can all trigger sudden EOL notices.

The bottom line? Supply chain risk is as real as your technical specs. And it can impact your product just as much as brightness, resolution, or power consumption.

Start Planning for Lifecycle At the Design Phase

By treating display lifecycle planning as part of your design process, not just a procurement detail, you can avoid disruptions and ensure a secure and well-prepared product development process.

When beginning a new design that incorporates a display, we recommend reviewing the full product timeline with your display supplier:

• Display research and selection
• Estimated time for electrical and mechanical integration
• Design validation and field testing
• Expected production start and ramp
• Targeted production volumes
• Anticipated product lifecycle

Thinking about these issues early ensures that the selected display technology will still be available. It gives you time to develop a long-term supply strategy. Your product will reach full production and enter the market without display lifecycle headaches.

How All Shore Helps OEMs Plan For Continuity

At All Shore Industries, we help OEMs build resilience into their display sourcing strategies. That means more than just delivering your module. We work together with you to:

• Select displays with stable, long-term availability
• Monitor supplier roadmaps for early EOL signals
• Work directly with our production facilities to maintain continuity
• Support dual-sourcing when needed

Best Practices For Reducing Risk

To strengthen your product lifecycle planning and reduce the chance of display-related delays, consider these best practices:

• Engage your display partner early, before mechanicals are locked down
• Use displays from reputable sources with a history of global sourcing expertise
• Ask suppliers about part longevity and lifecycle stage
• Maintain a BOM (Bill of Materials) with alternates wherever feasible

Bottom Line

OEM products have become more connected, cutting-edge, innovative, and compact. However, they’re also more dependent on the stability of key components, especially displays.

Protect yourself from display end-of-life headaches by considering the supply chain risk early in the design process. By implementing a strategic sourcing strategy and working with a reliable supplier, you can ensure that your display components last as long as the life of your device.