Quality Program – The fight against counterfeit parts

How prevalent is Counterfeiting?

The number of reported counterfeit electronic component parts continues to rise at alarming rate as it remains on track with the record set in 2011. The actual number of counterfeit electronics parts worldwide is likely unverifiable.  Recent studies found that the total count of reported incidents for counterfeited parts came out to roughly 12 million over the last five to six years, breaking down to one counterfeit part discovered every 15 seconds. It has been recently estimated by the Alliance for Grey Markets and Counterfeit Abatement (AGMA) that the cost of counterfeit electronics components over all levels of the electronics industry is over $100 billion annually.


Our Commitment

Counterfeit components posing an increasing threat to the quality and dependability of the global supply chain, Stealth Components has joined the effort to raise awareness among electronic components buyers and to provide them with a defense against fraudulent parts. Stealth has identified several key characteristics which commonly differentiate suppliers with quality, customer-service-oriented practices from suppliers with bottom line, profit-oriented practices.

 Counterfeit parts prevention

Following are three indicators that buyers should use to assess the quality-commitment of their suppliers.

1. Ensure your suppliers have a documented Quality Management System (QMS).

2. Validate the level of historical traceability your supplier offers for each part they sell.

3. Verify your supplier’s testing and inspection procedures reflect current industry standards.

About Stealth Components, Inc.

For over 17 years, Stealth Components has experienced significant growth and has become a leader in the independent distribution of electronic components.  Located in Charlotte, North Carolina and Eschborn, Germany (Frankfurt), Stealth provides stock and source services of standard long-lead-time, allocated, hard-to-find, and obsolete electronic components for domestic and international customers.  Stealth strives to help its customers eliminate gaps, reduce costs and avoid production line delays and interruptions.  Stealth’s leadership, quality program and process efficiencies paired with our trusted network of suppliers enable us to provide electronic components with improved lead time while ensuring product quality is not compromised.

For more information contact:

Anaïs  Hahn

anaish@stealthcomponents.com

704.837.1719

Stealth Components International Expansion and Growth

Stealth Components continues to grow in Germany and the European market…  Pursuing the opportunities in Europe has led to the devotion of additional faculty and expansion of our vendor network.

International Expansion

From our initial investments in Stealth Components Europe, we continue to expand our strategic hub in Eschborn, Germany to service all European customers.  We continue to experience significant penetration into other European markets, which demonstrates our high expectations for opportunities and continued growth potential.

We are listening more closely to our customer, suppliers and employees. We have begun to adapt to our environment and localize. It has and will continue make us a better and stronger company around the world. With the independent electronic distributor market being so competitive, Stealth Components strives to continue to be the most efficient and reliable source for our customer.

Quality Program

Unfortunately for all of us, we realize that counterfeit and poor quality parts exist. To ensure that our customers continue to receive superior parts, Stealth Components is cultivating our partnership with additional testing facilities throughout the world and implementing a stronger Quality Assurance program. Our goal is to improve our service levels. Only with effective processes can we be assured of obtaining authentic, high-quality products, in a timely fashion. Our quality control process includes 100% inspection for every component procured and 3rd party testing for components that meet Stealth’s standards.

About Stealth Components, Inc.

For nearly 17 years, Stealth Components has experienced significant growth and has become a leader in the independent distribution of electronic components. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Stealth provides stock and source services of standard long-lead-time, allocated, hard-to-find, and obsolete components for domestic and international customers.  Stealth strives to help its customers eliminate gaps, reduce costs and avoid production line delays and interruptions. Stealth’s leadership, quality program and process efficiencies paired with our trusted network of suppliers enable us to provide components with improved lead time while ensuring product quality is not compromised.

For more information contact:

Anaïs Hahn

anaish@stealthcomponents.com

704.837.1719

US officials launch global defense against counterfeit components and their suppliers

With the unveiling of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week, the US government made detection and avoidance of counterfeit electronics a global initiative. Both US and non-US suppliers to defense manufactures in the US, with be subject to the Act's regulations and requirements. 


IHS predicts approximately 362 non-US firms, from around the globe, are members of the US government's supply chain and will therefore be impacted by the NDAA.


With over 1,363 legitimate counterfeit cases being reported in 2011, according to IHS, the danger these falsified parts pose to US government's supply chain continues to grow. 


Counterfeit detection and avoidance procedures are more important than ever and should be incorporated into every company's supplier evaluation processes, to ensure only valid and properly functioning parts populate the global supply chain.  




Read More:

US counterfeit regulations impact global suppliers


Visit us online to find out Stealth Components can help your production line.

Stealth Components is an independent distributor of standard long-lead-time, allocated, hard-to-find, and obsolete electronic components. We help eliminate gaps, reduce costs and avoid production line delays and interruptions for our global customers.