EP 4 — Parts Life's Sam Thevanayagam on Solving the Problem of Obsolescence in the DIB
On this week's episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David talks with Sam Thevanayagam, President and CEO at Parts Life, Inc. and DeVal Lifecycle Support, a leader in life cycle sustainment. They discuss the challenges of end-of-life asset management in the defense industry, and how Parts Life is working to solve those problems with their R.O.P.E. process. They also talk about how to protect IP and the supply chain, being a good steward in the DIB, and advice for young entrepreneurs.
Topics discussed:
- How Sam started Parts Life to solve the problem of obsolescence in the defense industry.
- How the R.O.P.E. process (Rapid Obsolescence Planning and Execution) is a "Tylenol for the headache" of DMSMS.
- The technology Parts Life uses in their processes, like precision cameras and additive manufacturing.
- Why Sam is focused on being a good steward in the DIB by creating solutions and training individuals for new careers.
- The challenge of managing end-of-life processes in the defense industry and how Sam is working to solve it.
- How Parts Life protects its IP by staying vigilant to bad actors and securing their supply chain.
- Advice to young entrepreneurs that includes putting creativity before capital.
Guest Quotes:
"Obsolescence is something that will be around for a long time to come. It's very difficult to be able to design a part or an item to make sure that there is no obsolescence, right? Unfortunately, when you're dealing with mechanical, electrical, electronic parts, eventually there is a life to every one of these things. So we have a very creative way of being able to handle it."
"My responsibility is not only to be a good steward of the resources that God has entrusted with me, but it's important for me to be able to influence and shape the money that is being spent out there by government."
"The largest and the most effective defense force in the world does not have a process to plan for end-of-life of older vehicles. ... What I am in the process of doing is bringing attention to that issue."
"Creativity before capital. … You have to figure out a problem and come up with the solution for that problem."
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