Report Examines Counterfeit Parts and threat to supply chain.
Press Release Summary:
Counterfeit Parts: Increasing Awareness and Developing Countermeasures indicates counterfeit parts volume in supply chain is increasing, necessitating development and implementation of mitigation plans. Citing performance, reliability, and safety, AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey said reduction of counterfeit parts proliferation requires "increased diligence and active control measures." Report has 20+ recommendations for industry and government on reducing counterfeit parts.
Original Press Release:
AIA Issues Report on Counterfeit Parts and Threat to the Supply Chain
Arlington, Va. - The volume of counterfeit parts in the supply chain is increasing, necessitating that mitigation plans be developed and implemented, according to a new report by AIA.
"The use of counterfeit parts in the aerospace industry may have life or death consequences," said AIA President and CEO Marion C. Blakey. "Reducing their proliferation and potentially harmful effects requires increased diligence and active control measures from both industry and government."
While the prevalence of counterfeit parts in the supply chain is difficult to quantify, in fiscal 2009, the Customs and Border Protection Service seized nearly $4 million in counterfeit critical technology components, including networking equipment and semiconductor devices that the aerospace industry uses. Counterfeit Parts: Increasing Awareness and Developing Countermeasures, seeks to raise awareness of the issues associated with counterfeit parts.
"Regardless of how counterfeit parts enter the aerospace and defense supply chain, the ramifications can be significant," said Blakey. "They can jeopardize the performance, reliability and safety of our products."
While profit is the primary incentive for counterfeiting, the long lifecycle of aerospace products also contributes to conditions that make aerospace and defense equipment susceptible to counterfeiting. Aircraft developed in the 1950s, such as the B-52, are still in active inventory while parts from original equipment, component manufacturers or authorized aftermarket manufacturers or distributors may no longer be available.
The report has more than 20 recommendations for industry and government that encourage further discussion among stakeholders on how to most effectively reduce counterfeit parts in the supply chain. The recommendations were prepared by AIA's Counterfeit Parts-Integrated Project Team and include:
"Our industry makes the best aerospace products available and has an unsurpassed safety record," said Blakey. "We feel the recommendations will allow industry and government to address the issue before it threatens that record."
The report is available on AIA's website at: http://www.aia-aerospace.org/economics/reports_white_papers/?/issues_policies/reports_white_papers/
-AIA-
Founded in 1919 shortly after the birth of flight, the Aerospace Industries Association is the most authoritative and influential trade association representing the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, homeland and cybersecurity systems, materiel and related components, equipment services and information technology.
Daniel N. Stohr
Communications Coordinator & Manager of Publications
Aerospace Industries Association
1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700
Arlington, Virginia 22209 USA
T: 703-358-1078 F: 703-358-1012
dan.stohr@aia-aerospace.org
