Case Study: How Corning Recovered £1.55M from Excess Stock

About 10% of a global manufacturing company’s revenue is tied up in excess and obsolete (E&O) components. Many default to scrapping or landfill for disposal. This ultimately hurts profit margins, increases warehouse costs, and undermines sustainability goals. Component Sense helped Corning Inc. address this challenge head-on.  

In 2022, Corning Inc. partnered with Component Sense to turn their excess into an opportunity to recover value. Using our unique InPlant™ inventory management solution, Corning redistributed over 2.5 million components instead of scrapping them. This proactive approach recovered over $1.55 million in value and drove a 74% year-over-year growth in returns between 2022 and 2023. 

“A lot of our excess was EOL, but scrapping was a last resort due to environmental concerns. Additionally, we were mindful of the disposal fees involved.” 

– Bob Siamro, Manager, Operations, Global Manufacturing - Actives, OCS, Corning Inc 

The Challenge

Corning’s EMS partners were purchasing components based on accurate forecasts, but even small overages added up. This left Corning with shelves of excess stock, much of it end-of-life (EOL). Corning’s goal was twofold: 

1. Maximise the recovery of value from EOL stock

2. Minimise the environmental and financial costs associated with disposal 

“Our EMS partners would buy components per the forecast. Although forecasts were generally accurate, sometimes overages left us with a significant amount of excess stock.” 

– Bob Siamro 

Traditional options were either environmentally unfriendly, inefficient, or lacking in transparency. Corning needed a partner who could: 

• Provide a reliable outlet for redistribution 

• Act quickly and flexibly across global operations 

• Deliver transparency and trust throughout the process 

• Provide exceptional customer service 

The Solution: InPlant™

Component Sense’s InPlant™ solution provided Corning with a high-impact, low-effort way to transform their excess and obsolete electronic inventory into financial and operational gains, without adding internal workload. 

By embedding the redistribution process directly into Corning's EMS facility, InPlant™ allowed Corning to retain ownership and visibility while Component Sense took full responsibility for sales and maximising returns. 

With InPlant™, Component Sense managed the process directly at Corning’s EMS sites, eliminating the need for external uplift or complex logistics. This included: 

Crucially, Component Sense moved fast. We dispatched our team to Corning’s EMS plants outside of standard hours and had InPlant™ fully in place within two weeks. 

“Our lean team allows for flexibility. We can provide exceptional customer service without the hassle of layers of approval and corporate restrictions. Many of our clients need an E&O solution to be set up as quickly as possible to recoup value. In the case of Corning, we worked as fast as we could and had InPlant™ in place within two weeks. This approach is a reflection of our EPIC values. It's all about finding innovative solutions to provide the best service possible.” 

– Morag Dine, Head of Growth, Component Sense 

This agility minimised any disruption to Corning’s day-to-day operations. 

At the heart of the solution was a straightforward, honest partnership, something Corning valued highly after exploring less transparent alternatives in the global broker market. Component Sense provided: 

• Realistic resale valuations based on real-time global market data, not inflated promises 

• Ongoing visibility into the performance of listed components through a user-friendly supplier sales platform 

• Proactive communication with a dedicated account manager, ensuring Corning always felt in the loop 

The Results: Relationship Growth Backed by Results

Corning’s partnership with Component Sense led to measurable wins. Overall, they helped the finance, operations, and ESG teams at Corning to achieve their goals and KPIs through sustainable redistribution of E&O inventory. Here were Corning’s key results: 

74% YoY Growth

Between 2022 and 2023, Corning's income from redistributed stock jumped by 74%. This reflects the partnership's commercial success and Component Sense's ability to scale efficiently, adapt quickly, and deliver consistent service excellence. This leap forward solidified the relationship, with Corning now viewing Component Sense as a long-term strategic partner rather than a one-time solution. 

2,524,839 Electronic Component Parts Redistributed

Between 2022 and 2025, Component Sense redistributed 2,524,839 units of Corning's excess and obsolete stock, recovering costs, generating profit, and avoiding disposal fees. 

1.55M+ USD Recouped

Between 2022 and 2025, Component Sense helped Corning recover income and reduce waste. 

“We were blown away by the returns, especially early on, when some components sold for more than what we originally paid. It’s not ideal to have excess stock, but knowing you have a partner like Component Sense changes everything.”  

– Bob Siamro 

 A Partnership That Pays Off

With a clear focus on value recovery, operational simplicity, and environmental responsibility, Component Sense helped Corning turn a recurring manufacturing challenge into a competitive advantage. 

Today, Corning doesn’t see E&O as a liability; instead, it knows its inventory is a valuable opportunity. 

Five Lasting Impacts of the Partnership:

1. Revenue Unlocked: Through targeted redistribution, Corning recouped 1.55M+ USD from excess electronic component inventory (2022-2025).

2. Margins Maximised: Achieved resale prices above original costs, turning surplus stock into positive purchase price variance (PPV).

3. Waste Eliminated: 2,524,839 components redistributed, dramatically cutting e-waste through responsible, sustainable redistribution.

4. Efficiency Elevated: Reduced inventory overheads and streamlined operations across global Corning sites.

5. Strategic Trust Earned: 74% YoY revenue growth (2022–2023) cemented Component Sense as Corning's redistribution partner of choice. 

“We value this relationship greatly. It is now the first place we turn when E&O stock builds up.”  

– Bob Siamro 

Why Managing Excess Inventory Matters

Excess electronic components are a hidden drain on manufacturers. Typical companies often have around 10% of their revenue tied up in E&O stock. Without intervention, these parts just lose value over time and eventually become waste. Beyond the direct financial loss, oversupply also has big environmental costs; unused parts often end up in landfills or are shredded, contributing to the global e-waste problem. 

By contrast, proactive excess inventory management delivers multiple benefits: 

• Recovers Cash: Redistributing unused parts turns idle inventory into immediate revenue. 

• Frees Up Space: Clearing out E&O stock reduces warehouse clutter and storage costs. 

• Improves Supply Chain: Access to your recycled parts (and our global pool of components) can shield you from shortages and lead-time spikes. 

• Boosts Sustainability: Keeping components in circulation (or properly recycling them) cuts the extraction of virgin materials and lowers your carbon footprint. 

In essence, smart inventory management turns a cost centre into an asset. A circular approach (redistributing parts) supports both business efficiency and ESG goals. Component Sense helps companies achieve this by aligning inventory strategy with sustainability. For every transaction, we even plant trees to offset carbon, reinforcing the positive environmental impact. 

Managing surplus electronic parts is not only good for the planet but also business. Ready to unlock the value in your excess inventory?