By Guest Blogger Stuart Rosenberg
Over the last few decades, there have been major changes in the manufacturing industry as a whole – some positive, some negative. A recent alarming trend is the increase of counterfeiting which threatens the global supply chain. Is the criminal underground solely to blame? Or has the manufacturing industry unknowingly but directly contributed to this growing gray business?
This growth of counterfeiting can be attributed to the following forces:
- A slumping economy
- Low-cost advanced technology
- Trade globalization
- Consumer complicity
- Channel and market expansion
- Powerful global brands
- Weak international regulations and enforcement
The main cause of this growth is the digital age; the Internet has turned counterfeiting into a low risk market by allowing these groups an unlimited access to the global market, low cost communications and free access to information of proprietary or confidential nature. But most of all, the Internet allows for anonymity.
Given the emergence of the above seven reasons, supply chain managers should not be surprised by the manifestation of counterfeiting. The efforts to protect intellectual property have been largely ineffective due to organizations all too eager to share their standard operating procedures, transfer tooling and share quality manufacturing training ideas.
In order to diminish these risks, manufacturers must objectively assess their existing efforts by considering the following:
- Conduct due diligence for facility security, inventory accountability and proper destruction of unsalable items?
- Consistently audit external facilities that operate within our supply chain?
- Ensure all retired but tangible assets are properly destroyed?
- Do existing processes and procedures allow trusting the verification?
Companies that are unwilling or unable to meet these criteria will remain vulnerable to and enable the counterfeiters to continue their ‘gray market’ production.
Today, there is a large cache of tools, practices and countermeasures available for use by manufacturers, especially for those firms operating in such places like China, Brazil, India and Paraguay. However, the industry as a whole will continue to struggle against counterfeiters until it correctly weighs the knowledge and unique outlook of supply chain counterparts.
(Asian countries, in particular China, are responsible for the vast majority of counterfeit electronics reaching the U.S.)
The lack of a single entity or legislation to provide complete supply chain line protection has led many companies towards technology experts to assist in brand protection. In return, manufacturers are allowing these technical experts inside knowledge to their best practices to integrate authentication solutions. Clearly, we can see the dangers in continuing this activity.
Technological experts can and often do present a case for adopting ACF (anti-counterfeit) technologies. There is still resistance to this as many supply chain directors claim that visibility is detrimental to their success. Suppliers, vendors and distributors as well are reluctant to collaborate. This fear has been long doormat: a belief that sharing will diminish their value to the manufacturer and lose business.
Manufacturers who hesitate in fighting counterfeiting can adhere to these principles:
- Welcome the threat. Campaign for the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy for violations by employees and or suppliers.
- Protect Intellectual property by increasing control of production materials throughout the entire supply chain.
There are a number of available anti-counterfeit technologies available for companies. Of course, even with these technologies due diligence for the best product for your company must be performed. The due diligence should be based upon projected risk of the brand profile, active trade channels and target markets. These options must be capable of full integration with company’s operations, upstream and downstream – sensory authentication, digital authentication and track and trace systems.
As with any solution, these have strengths and weaknesses. Sensory authentication can be vulnerable to duplication by counterfeiters. Digital authentication adds a layer of security but must be used in conjunction with a corresponding device. Track & trace solutions require the largest investment as it has a multi-layer approach to security of product. This solution is mostly used by pharmaceutical companies.
Even before we bring in the technology experts perhaps a consultation with a brand expert is in order. These specialists can provide objective risk appraisal and advice on proper equipment and project delays such as unforeseen costs.
As counterfeiting continues to grow as a ‘gray market’ supply chain leaders must invest in brand protection such as auditing SOP’s to revising distribution practices and implementing ACF solutions.
Remember, no single company, technology practice or program can or will lessen this risk to the supply chain. Only cooperation and collaboration from all – manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, distributors and legislators – will present a workable solution.
[otw_shortcode_button href=”/services/” size=”large” icon_position=”left” shape=”square” css_class=”hs-button” target=“_blank”]Learn More About NJMEP Services[/otw_shortcode_button]