UKM-SUM24-PG60_Layout 1 27/06/2024 12:25 Page 60
ELECTRONICS
OVERCOMING COUNTERFEITS ONCE AND FOR ALL
The market for counterfeit electronics is one of the industry’s most widely discussed and analysed topics, yet little headway has been made in solving the
problem.Here, Tom Cash, director of Siemens parts supplier Foxmere, explains the best methods to spot counterfeit automation parts.
he Irish playwright Oscar Wilde once stated, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” This rings particularly true in the electronics industry, as imitation in the form of counterfeits is a serious issue for the UK manufacturing sector. Research from the Anti-Counterfeiting Forum estimates that the proliferation of counterfeit goods has resulted in a cost of £30bn, or the equivalent of 14,800 jobs, for the UK economy. Therefore, it is no surprise that the increasing volume of counterfeit electronics entering the UK is of particular concern to UK-based original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). To avoid significant financial losses and potential risks associated with counterfeit goods, here are the most crucial steps to take when identifying and mitigating the infiltration of fake automation parts across the supply chain.
T VETTING PARTS
If a product is believed to be counterfeit, it is crucial to check that the product or reference numbers on the label or packaging correspond with the expected part. This involves scrutinising the components and their labels to detect discrepancies or inconsistencies. For obsolete parts, we opt for a hands-on approach to our counterfeit control. This comes as dealing with obsolete parts presents a unique set of challenges due to a lack of original documentation or manufacturers no longer providing support or information about these components. In these instances, Foxmere will scrutinise the product and its labels against the same or similar products from the same manufacturer. Regarding the current active stock, label scanning technology is the best way to read and verify the authenticity of labels on automation parts effectively and in real time.
NEW SUPPLIERS
In current times, diversifying your supplier base to increase resilience in the supply chain
60
has never been so important. However, when dealing with new suppliers, it is just as important to vet them with the same level of detail as when vetting parts.
When working with new suppliers, placing a sample order is a good rule of thumb. Additionally, for more obscure parts, it sometimes helps to buy duplicate items from a known, reputable supplier for comparison.
VALUE EXPERIENCE
Staff members of automaton parts suppliers, such as Foxmere, manually vet automation parts - thoroughly examining the physical characteristics of the item and its accompanying boxes and labels. This manual inspection is critical in identifying any differences or signs of counterfeiting that may not be apparent through automated processes, especially as some pose added complexity, like the aforementioned challenges of working with obsolete parts.
Just look at the part numbers - every manufacturer uses its own special format. For example, Siemens uses special alphanumeric codes that signify family and revision numbers, while companies, such as Phoenix Contact, simply opt for a numerical ID. Moreover, not all products have part numbers and some products may have multiple serial numbers that correspond to different components or parts.
Having scanned, assessed and reviewed millions of parts, the Foxmere team is well- placed to spot any counterfeit that tries to infiltrate the supply chain. Reliability is a key factor as to why we have such strong relationships with our customers, including global brands such as Danone, Johnson and Johnson and BIC.
If we are to make headway in solving the counterfeit problem, a reliable supply chain must include credible partners that vet their obscure, old and obsolete parts.
Foxmere
foxmere.com
Summer 2024 UKManufacturing
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
