Are You Concerned About Counterfeit Electronics in Your Supply Chain?

By John Mitchell, IPC President and CEO

Key Summary

• Counterfeit electronics pose a growing threat to manufacturing operations and supply chain integrity
• IPC is partnering with the U.S. Executive Agent for Printed Circuit and Interconnect Technologies to provide members with rare access to anti counterfeiting research
• Attendees will receive an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Crane Naval’s facilities and countermeasure technologies
• A full day symposium will cover global counterfeit trends and recommended supply chain protection protocols
• Event access is restricted to U.S. persons working for companies serving the defense market

Many IPC members have expressed to me their ongoing concern about the proliferation of counterfeit electronics. The intrusion of counterfeit electronics into the supply chain is a threat to the reputation and operations of every electronics manufacturer. Several months ago, I had the opportunity to receive a tour of the Crane Naval facility (the Executive Agent for Printed Circuit and Interconnect Technologies) and experience some of their counterfeit research and countermeasures directly. Crane is arguably the best in the world at this. I believe many of you would benefit from a similar experience and knowledge download.

To help our members better protect themselves, IPC is partnering with the Executive Agent (EA) to hold a special event next month. We have arranged for members to get a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of the EA’s facilities and the work they are doing to thwart counterfeit electronics. In a day-long symposium that follows, the experts at Crane will discuss global counterfeit trends and the protocols all manufacturers should establish to safeguard the integrity of their supply chains.

If you have concerns about counterfeit electronics in your supply chain, I strongly encourage you to register for this important and unique symposium and tour. Please note that, given the sensitive nature of the EA’s work, attendees must be U.S. persons working for companies that serve the defense market in some fashion. Participation in this event is capped, so register soon.

For more information, visit the event website or contact Chris Mitchell, IPC vice president of global government relations at ChrisMitchell@ipc.org.