Once upon a time, everybody needed electronic component repair services. Businesses as well as consumers expected their electronics to fail from time to time, and made regular use of their local electronic repair business. Today, consumer electronics are generally considered "throw away" items; if they break, it's often less expensive to throw them away and buy new ones than it is to have items repaired. However, that is not typically the case with industrial electronic repair.

For industrial and commercial needs, electronics repair companies still exist. To find the one that best suits your business' needs, think about the following:

1. Do you need an electronic repair business that handles general repairs?

2. Do you need a specialty electronics repair business?

3. Do you need electronics parts and components for your own employees to do the work?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose an expert for industrial electronics repair

When your electronics aren't working properly, you need to hire a professional who understands industrial needs and can get your business up and running as quickly as possible. There are many companies focusing on industrial electronic repair services; find one that has quality diagnosis equipment and offers a good warranty on their work.

I recommend: PSI Repair Services provides industrial electronic components repair, beginning with expert evaluation and diagnosis. St. Lawrence Troy offers electronic repairs with a free evaluation and a 13-month in-service warranty. Cal-Tek Company provides repairs and maintenance of electronic, electrical and mechanical instrumentation. Advanced Electronic Service specializes testing, maintaining and repairing industrial electronics.

Find an electronics repair company that specializes

If you can find an expert who specializes in the type of electronics you need repaired for your business, so much the better. There are a number of specialists throughout the country. Many focus on circuit boards, others on obsolete technology, and others on electronic instruments.

I recommend: Advanced Technology Services specializes in repairing circuit boards, from the latest electronic technologies to older, obsolete technology. Telesource Solutions specializes in the repair and remanufacture of circuit board based and electro-mechanical technologies. Process Measurement Company specializes in repairing electronic instruments such as VFDs and transducers.

Stock up with an electronics parts company

If your employees are qualified, you can save money--and possibly production time--by letting them complete most maintenance and repairs. Find an electronic parts and components company that either specializes in the sort of components required, or that carries a wide selection of items to suit your business' diverse needs.

I recommend: Centerpointe Electronics is a worldwide distributor of electronics parts, components and products, including semiconductors. Electronix provides a wide range of electronic components for repairs, including capacitors and resistors, fuses, circuits and breadboards. Radwell International carries a large stock of electronic components for repairs, including new and surplus parts. Digi-Key also has a large selection of electronic parts and components, including such items as capacitors, connectors, switches and oscillators.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choose only reputable sources for electronic component repair parts. There are thousands of fake components on the market, and while they may be cheaper initially, they may end up costing your business a great deal more when they malfunction or damage the entire system you place them in.