Bringing Innovation to Obsolescence
Ethan Plotkin is the CEO of GDCA, Inc. (“Great Designs Continued Always”), who used his experience in supply chain risk management (SCRM) to lead the company from its early days as a small OEM into becoming a trusted Legacy Equipment Manufacturing partner for Defense and related OEMs across the country. GDCA originally partnered with OEMs as a source for EOL or obsolete circuit boards, but found that they were just a surrogate for obsolescence in the supply chain. Together with his team, Ethan built on his experience in SCRM to create a systematic approach to sustain and manufacture obsolete electronics – a much bigger mission that is much more achievable. Under his management, GDCA has become an entirely new type of business – a legacy equipment manufacturer (LEM).
Ethan has also worked extensively with the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) and currently leads the Supply Chain Network Committee, which facilitates collaboration between government, industry, and other NDIA divisions to strengthen National Security through industrial supply chains. His work in obsolescence management has brought a unique perspective to the many different factors that influence supply chain challenges and how manufacturers can overcome them.