Force Tech Talks

About Force Tech Talks

The team from Force Technologies will be discussing all things obsolescence amongst themselves and with a mix of special guests from the industry.

Publisher

Force Technologies Ltd

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Nov 2025

Latest episode

24 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Force Tech Talk Episode 24 Pt2: The Founder Story, with Mike Salmon (Part 2)

   In Part 2 of Force Tech Talk Episode 24, Chris Dawes continues his conversation with Mike Salmon, founder and Director of Engineering at Force Technologies, moving from the company's origins into the present and what comes next. Mike talks through why Force keeps a huge library of old data books, including the ICSK Master reference, and how that archive lets the team identify parts from decades-old circuit diagrams when the original manufacturer's data has disappeared from search engines entirely. He shares examples from his own design career, including work on Concorde and 37 Force-supplied devices on the Eurofighter Typhoon, and explains why storage discipline matters as much as sourcing. Stored die and components have to meet strict criteria so they still perform correctly decades later, whether that's a missile system or a navigation unit. The conversation moves into Mike's motorsport career, from Porsche Supercup racing at the British Grand Prix to endurance racing where his team beat a Top Gear presenter's car to a class win, before returning to business. Mike sets out where he sees Force heading, not as a distributor or small manufacturer, but as the company customers bring a problem to when nobody else has an answer, and explains why buyer behaviour, chasing a cheaper part over the right one, is still one of the industry's biggest risks. He closes on sovereign supply chain resilience, anti-counterfeiting, and what CEO Karen Salmon is preparing to announce next.

2. 

   3 Sept 2026

   Force Tech Talk Episode 24: The Founder Story, with Mike Salmon (Part 1)

   Force Tech Talk Episode 24: The Founder Story, with Mike Salmon (Part 1) In 1986 our founder Mike Salmon gave up the BMW, the good salary and the comfortable job for a desk and a telephone. Then he made around 100 calls a day for two years to build the company we know now as Force Technologies.. In the latest Force Tech Talk, Chris Dawes sits down with Mike to hear how Force Technologies began, and it is a story about risk, hard graft and knowing when to change course. A few highlights from Part 1 include: Force was the first distributor for Atmel, before Atmel even had production. Mike remembers watching the founder lay out a memory chip on a table with coloured pins. By 1991 to 1992 that one franchise was worth around a million dollars a year to the business. Then Atmel opened a European office and took the business direct. Losing the franchise hurt, but it opened the door to what Force does today. Around 1995 a defence customer needed an obsolete part that the original manufacturer had dropped. Mike found a compatible die, packaged it to match, tested it and supplied it. That part stayed in production for around 20 years. When counterfeit components started reaching customers, and even reaching aircraft, people came back to Force for parts they could trust. As Mike puts it, it took 30 years for the industry to recognise what the company had been doing all along. Mike also reveals how his employment strategy may differ from others with a few stories of how our current team were hired. Catch Part 1 now; Part 2 will follow in a couple of weeks.

3. 

   23 Jul 2026

   Force Tech Talks Ep. 2 | Why Redesign is the Enemy: Sustainable Engineering with Jon Barrett

   Why Redesign Is the Enemy, Sustainable Engineering with Jon Barrett | Force Tech Talks Ep. 23 In Episode 23 of Force Technologies Tech Talks, CEO Karen Salmon sits down with an old friend and colleague, Jon Barrett, founder of the Sustainable Engineering Alliance, to talk about how sustainable design is reshaping electronics and engineering. From product designer and engineering writer to founder of an alliance connecting OEMs with suppliers who cut environmental impact, Jon shares why a new generation of engineers now treats sustainability as part of the job, not an afterthought. In this episode: The two forces pushing OEMs to change: customer goodwill and incoming legislation and levies How an EV battery can be designed for a 30 to 40 year life across multiple uses Why digital product passports and a lasting supply chain matter for parts that fail decades later The real cost of redesign: an aerospace flight system that took ten years and millions of pounds Repeatability, change management and FAA compliance in aerospace New rules on removable batteries, the French reparability index, and the right to repair Why long-term tech management and component storage are in growing demand Notes from the repair cafe: people love their products and want them fixed A conversation between old colleagues about durability, documentation and doing engineering that lasts.

4. 

   25 Jun 2026

   Force Tech Talk Ep22 | Managing Obsolescence: Lifetime Buys, Forecasting & Risk

   Following the success of our previous obsolescence roundtable, the Force Technologies team returns to answer more real-world questions from engineers, procurement specialists and manufacturers. In Episode 22, we discuss: Should you make a lifetime buy when components become obsolete? How procurement teams can become involved earlier in obsolescence planning When a redesign is necessary and when alternative solutions may be better Managing traceability for hard-to-find and end-of-life components The importance of documentation retention and quality processes Long-term storage strategies for critical electronic components Join Karen, Charlotte, Ben and Eder as they share practical insights into managing obsolescence, reducing supply chain risk and maintaining product availability throughout the lifecycle of your equipment. Learn more about Force Technologies and our obsolescence management services at https://www.forcetechnologies.co.uk/ #ForceTechTalk #ObsolescenceManagement #ElectronicsManufacturing #Procurement #SupplyChain #Engineering #Traceability #LifecycleManagement

5. 

   14 May 2026

   Force Tech Talk Ep21: How Counterfeits Affect Military and Aerospace Subsystems

   Force Tech Talk Ep21: How Counterfeits Affect Military and Aerospace Subsystems In Episode 21 of Force Tech Talk, Ben Savage MIIOM sits down with Eder to explain exactly how counterfeiting works in the semiconductor industry, what detection methods are available, and why the industry standards that govern testing, AS6081 and AS6171, exist for good reason. They cover: How black topping works and why it is difficult to detect without specialist equipment Why industry-standard packages make remarking so straightforward for counterfeiters The testing hierarchy from visual and dimensional checks through to X-ray, decapsulation, and electrical testing How AS6171 defines risk levels and what moderate versus high risk testing actually involves Why rigorous supplier qualification matters more than downstream detection Ben has been at Force Technologies for 20 years. In that time, a genuine counterfeit device getting through is something he cannot recall happening. That is not luck. It is the result of a consistent process. Watch/Listen to Episode 21

6. 

   16 Apr 2026

   Force Tech Talks Episode 20 - Five Critical Questions on Component Obsolescence, Answered

   Force Tech Talks Episode 20 - Five Critical Questions on Component Obsolescence, Answered In the latest episode of our Force Tech Talks, Karen Salmon, Charlotte Hughes, Ben Savage and Eder discuss the questions you keep asking about obsolescence management, end-of-life notices, engineering under pressure, form fit function replacements, and balancing just-in-time with 30-year product lifecycles. Timestamps: 00:00 Start 00:38 Why do suppliers give short or unclear end-of-life notices 03:12 What are the biggest engineering mistakes when reacting to obsolescence under time pressure? 05:14 What should you do if you miss the last time buy notice? 07:25 What is the difference between a form-fit function and a 1-to-1 replacement? 09:43 How do you balance just-in-time principles with long-lifecycle products? Are there any particular questions you have about obsolescence? We would be happy to include them in our next Tech Talk Q and A, or you can give us a call, and we can answer them in person. You can find out more solutions to your obsolescence problems by watching more of our tech talks on this channel. Please like, follow and share to see more. #Obsolescence #ComponentEngineering #ElectronicsSupplyChain #Aerospace #Defence #AeroDefence #SupplyChain #ElectronicsManufacturing

7. 

   5 Mar 2026

   Force Tech Talk Episode 19: The Continuity Principle

   Force Tech Talk Episode 19: The Continuity Principle The Five Elements of Continuity Principle define how aerospace and defence manufacturers sustain product lifecycles spanning 25+ years when component production runs last only months. In this episode of our Tech Talks, Karen Salmon, CEO of Force Technologies, outlines the five critical elements that prevent customers from being caught out by unexpected component obsolescence: Lifecycle Management - Ensuring continuous availability of dies, packages, design records, and engineering talent to adapt when suppliers discontinue products. Form Fitting Function Replacements - Developing standard products that maintain exact compatibility with original components without requiring board redesigns. Design Continuity - Preserving design documentation, assembly principles, and engineering records when fabs shut down, and original design files are lost. Supply Chain Assurance - Building long-term relationships with suppliers based on trust and loyalty rather than transactional vendor rotation. Legal, Certification & Conformity - Maintaining compliance with military-grade standards (AS9100 Rev D, MIL-STD-883) and quality certifications throughout the product lifecycle. Karen draws on 40 years of Force Technologies experience, including a real case study: recovering a failed RGM 3182 chip assembly by locating the original Chinese engineer who revealed a critical 1mm die orientation detail that was never documented in the original design paperwork. This episode directly addresses the core challenge facing aerospace and defence procurement: how to support 25-year product lifecycles when no single manufacturer controls component availability for that duration. Listne to the full conversation as Charlotte and Karen discuss why "last-minute.com" approaches fail, how to plan for supply chain disruption, and what the ROM 2026 conference will reveal about continuity planning in defence procurement.

8. 

   27 Jan 2026

   Force Tech Talks - Episode 18: Continuous Improvement Efforts and Different Types Of Waste

   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

9. 

   12 Dec 2025

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

   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 (https://www.forcetechnologies.co.uk) #ComponentObsolescence #LongTermStorage #ElectronicsLifecycle #SupplyChainResilience #ForceTechTalks

10. 

    20 Nov 2025

    Force Tech Talks - Episode 16: COTS vs Custom Packaging

    Force Tech Talks - Episode 16: COTS vs Custom Packaging Hosted by Charlotte Hughes and Ben Savage Welcome to Episode 16 of Force Tech Talks and our very first episode in the new studio setup. In this instalment, Charlotte and Ben explore one of the most discussed topics in the obsolescence and semiconductor space: COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) Packaging versus Custom Packaging. What is the difference between COTS and custom packages? When should you consider investing in a custom solution? What are the lead time and cost implications? How do packaging choices affect long-term reliability and lifecycle support? From military-grade ceramics to soft and hard tooling strategies, Ben and Charlotte demystify the technical terms and share practical insights to help engineers, procurement teams and project managers make informed packaging decisions for high-reliability and long-life applications. If you are working in defence, aerospace or any industry affected by component obsolescence, this episode provides clear and actionable guidance. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe and share with your network. To learn more about obsolescence and packaging solutions, visit www.forcetechnologies.co.uk (http://www.forcetechnologies.co.uk/) #ForceTechTalks #Semiconductors #COTSPackaging #CustomPackaging #ObsolescenceManagement #Aerospace #DefenceTechnology #ComponentPackaging #SemiconductorPackaging #EngineeringPodcast

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Guest appearances

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.