Great information as always. There is one issue I am wondering about in regard to procuring through non-authorized channels. Some component makers say they will not honor warrantys or returns for parts not bought through authorized channels. Have you run up against this, and has the component maker stood by its policy?
Dawn, I agree that all these 10 points are very much valid but I don’t know how we can follow this. In most cases requirements are time bounded and may not get enough time for all these types of checks. So I think it’s better to shortlist a number of companies based on these 10 point s and can do further business with them when requirement comes. I know most of the companies have a preferred vendor and as demand comes they used to procure items through third party, some of them even from local market too. In such cases the vendors also have to follow the same procedure of 10 point scrutiny.
Your 10 tips seem pretty spot on to help avoid getting counterfeits into your companies supply chain. It does seem like some of those steps could be limited by time or money. Do you think if following just a couple of steps will help weed out the counterfeits, or would somebody need to try every feasible step to ensure they are getting legit products?
One suggestion on the article. You might also like to add categorization about the type of counterfeit products. Definitely there are more detrimental situations where counterfeit will cause alot more harm than others. For example, if drugs are counterfeited. Not only will it cause the supply chain disruption, it will also cause the patients' health and the brand of the original company. It's a snowball effect there.
One way I test an independent distributor's resolve is to ask if they will agree to liquidated damages if the parts they supply fail when used. ALthough nobody, whether franchised or not, will agree to liquidated damages, it drives the point home and opens up discussion regarding the source of supply etc.
Much like any industry, you can at least call the person's bluff by just asking this question. Most people don't expect it so they will have no real response for it. If you get something commendable verbally and in writing, you'llknow you're dealing with a real professional.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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