Feature|Videos|November 11, 2026
OEM vs. Non-OEM Compressor Parts: Weighing Cost, Risk, and Lead Time
Key Takeaways
- Learn why a lower-cost non-OEM part can end up costing more over the equipment's lifetime.
- Discover why lead times on some forged compressor components now stretch into years, not months.
Shady Saeed and Wael Al Mandarawi debate one of the most contentious calls in rotating equipment: OEM parts or a non-OEM alternative.
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Episodes in this series
Sponsored by FS-Elliott
Few topics spark more debate among rotating equipment professionals than OEM versus non-OEM parts. Shady Saeed lays out the case for genuine OEM components: while they can cost more upfront, non-OEM parts are typically reverse-engineered without the original engineering intent behind material selection and design, and tend to fail later (sometimes 6 to 18 months in), causing more expensive, cascading damage when they do.
Wael Al Mandarawi counters with the operational reality plants are up against: lead times on some forged components now stretch to years, not months, pushing his organization toward alternative sourcing and even 3D-printed parts for select applications. He argues that the market and OEMs need to adapt as non-OEM suppliers close the technology gap.
For anyone managing a spare parts strategy, this episode weighs the real trade-offs between upfront cost, availability, and long-term reliability.
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