Feature: Semiconductors
Overcoming counterfeit chips
By Tom Cash, Director, Foxmere T
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 problem for the manufacturing sector. Research by the Anti-Counterfeiting
Forum estimates that the proliferation of counterfeit goods has resulted in a cost of £30bn for the UK economy, equivalent to 14,800 jobs. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the increasing volume of counterfeit electronics entering the UK is of particular concern to UK-based original equipment manufacturers. 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
22 June 2024
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
automation parts across the supply chain.
Vetting parts If believed to be counterfeit, it is crucial to check that the product or reference numbers on its label or packaging correspond with the expected part. Tis 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. Tis comes as dealing with obsolete parts presents a unique set of challenges due to 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 Tese days, diversifying your supplier base to increase resilience in the supply chain 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 practice. 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
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
