One major aircraft company in the UK has admitted to COG that it has more mechanical obsolescence problems than electronic. Military and aerospace companies report problems with non-availability of fasteners and bearings, and with nomenclature changes to part numbers that incur costs of re-qualifying the part.

COG was established in 1997 to provide an industry-wide forum for the discussion of obsolescence issues, and its membership is growing steadily.

Currently there are 172 members, of which 80% are in the UK. There are 22 members in Germany, and others in the USA, and most European countries and even as far away as New Zealand and Singapore.

COG runs workshops, seminars and conferences to provide training and enable members to share information and solutions, and it has also formed working groups dedicated to addressing key issues.

During 2004, a COG working group has met to draw up a broad brush specification for a mechanical obsolescence software tool that will help to source components and indicate life cycle and this will be discussed with the Software Tool Suppliers in the Autumn.

The Group has published a series of information booklets, the latest of which is entitled 'The Supply Chain Minefield - The Role of the Distributor in Managing Obsolescence Problems'. Guidance for end-users is provided and includes advice on how suppliers and customers can work together to minimise obsolescence problems.

Links to other sources of information are available from the website: www.cog.org.uk