Before revision: In the electronics industry, a second source is a company that is licensed to manufacture and sell components originally designed by another company (the first source).John Zysman, Laura Tyson, American Industry in International Competition: Government Policies And Corporate Strategies, Cornell University Press, 1984 ISBN 0-8014-9297-1 page 160 It is common for engineers and purchasers to avoid components that are only available from a single source, to avoid the risk that a problem with the supplier would cause a popular and profitable product to be unable to be manufactured.
After revision: In the electronics industry, a second source is a company that is licensed to manufacture and sell components originally designed by another company (the first source).John Zysman, Laura Tyson, American Industry in International Competition: Government Policies And Corporate Strategies, Cornell University Press, 1984 ISBN 0-8014-9297-1 page 160 It is common for engineers and purchasers to avoid components that are only available from a single source, to avoid the risk that a problem with the supplier would prevent a popular and profitable product from being manufactured.