The Circular Economy in Action: Kenny McGee on Redistributing Excess Components Artwork

Resilient Supply Chain — How Leaders Keep Business Moving

Resilient Supply Chain is for supply chain, operations, procurement and technology leaders who need practical ways to manage disruption, reduce risk and keep business moving.

Each Monday, technology and sustainability analyst, keynote speaker and former SAP Global VP Tom Raftery speaks with the executives, operators, founders and innovators redesigning how goods, information and decisions move through global supply chains.

These are candid conversations about what works in practice—not polished PR narratives or vague predictions. Guests explain how they are responding to supplier failures, geopolitical shocks, volatile costs, capacity constraints, changing regulations and rising pressure to improve both performance and sustainability.

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Resilient Supply Chain — How Leaders Keep Business Moving

The Circular Economy in Action: Kenny McGee on Redistributing Excess Components

November 25, 2024 • Tom Raftery / Kenny McGee • Season 2 • Episode 44

0:00 | 44:18

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In this episode, I sit down with Kenny McGee, CEO and founder of Component Sense, to explore how his company is driving sustainability in the electronics industry. Kenny shares the story behind Component Sense’s origins—born out of a pressing need to manage surplus electronic components—and how it has grown into a leader in redistributing excess inventory.

We dig into some hard truths about waste in the electronics supply chain. Did you know that millions of brand-new components are scrapped every year simply because they’re surplus to requirements? Kenny explains how Component Sense prevents this waste by redistributing unused, traceable parts to businesses that need them, ensuring valuable resources don’t end up in landfills.

From navigating financial crises and COVID-19 to tackling Brexit’s logistical headaches, Kenny’s journey highlights the challenges of running a purpose-driven business. He also discusses how his team has developed innovative tools, such as their InPlant system, to integrate seamlessly into clients' supply chains, making redistribution both easy and profitable.

We also touch on broader industry challenges, including the rise of counterfeit components, the regulatory gaps around circularity, and the urgent need for global, not just local, sustainability efforts. Kenny makes a compelling case for prioritising reuse over waste, urging businesses to take responsibility for their environmental impact.

Towards the end, we explore the fascinating role legacy components play in keeping vital industrial machinery alive, a topic that underscores the value of thinking long-term in our throwaway culture.

If you’ve ever wondered how we can align sustainability with business value in the electronics industry, this episode will give you practical insights and strategies. Don’t miss it!

If disruption hit tomorrow, would you know where your supply chain was most exposed? In 15 minutes my free scorecard helps you assess 27 resilience statements, calculate your score, and turn the result into three priorities and a 30 day action plan. You can download the scorecard free at tomraftery.com/scorecard.

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