HOUSTON, TX (PRWEB) February 04, 2015 -- Smith & Associates, the largest independent distributor of electronic components, today announces the certification of its Asian hub’s inspectors to the CCCI-102 standard. The CCCI-102 program – developed by Components Technology Institute, Inc. (CTI), the creators of the strenuous Counterfeit Components Avoidance Program (CCAP-101) – was created in order to provide inspectors formal training and certification in the due diligence practices that underpin counterfeit electronic component detection and prevention.
CTI worked in collaboration with Smith & Associates to engineer this program, which provides third-party certification to inspectors employed by CCAP-101-certified independent distributors, allowing these certified distributors to take the next step in defending the supply chain against inauthentic components. The program consists of thorough training in counterfeit component detection, in addition to practical testing that scrutinizes and confirms the inspection capabilities and anti-counterfeiting knowledge of inspectors.
Smith & Associates inspectors at the company’s global headquarters in Houston underwent certification to CCCI-102 in late 2013 as the inaugural certification class of the new standard. All 31 inspectors tested received certification to Level I of the CCCI-102 program, and 3 advanced inspection personnel received CCCI-102 Level II certification. Now, Smith has taken the next step to expand the quality initiatives of its headquarters to its other operational locations worldwide, beginning with its Asian hub in Hong Kong.
All 15 of Smith & Associates Far East Limited’s quality inspectors underwent training and certification in a broad array of topics vital to the global anti-counterfeiting effort, including visual and microscopic inspection, sampling, safeguarding moisture sensitive components, and anti-counterfeiting procedures such as decapsulation, acetone, solderability, and X-ray testing. At the conclusion of the training and qualifications, all 15 inspectors earned CCCI-102 Level I certification, and 2 specialists out of these 15 also achieved certification to CCCI-102 Level II, which recognizes an advanced level of technical anti-counterfeiting expertise.
“Counterfeiters’ techniques move forward as fast as technology does,” said Cleat Kimbrough, Smith’s Vice President of Operations and Quality, Asia & EU, “and it’s up to all of us in the industry to stay ahead of them. Through due diligence, deep awareness, and constant study and focus on this vital topic, companies can make a difference in the supply chain. Smith works to play a key role in helping to combat counterfeiters worldwide, and the expanding education of our inspectors will play a major part in the continuous improvements of our capabilities.”
About Smith & Associates
Founded in Houston in 1984, Smith & Associates is a leader in the independent distribution of semiconductors and electronic components to electronics and high-tech manufacturers. Smith offers shortage sourcing for commodity and obsolete parts, innovative purchasing and inventory management solutions, redistribution of excess inventory, and component stocking for warranty and repair programs.
A privately-held company, Smith & Associates employs more than 350 people worldwide, with annual revenue in excess of US $747 million. Smith's regional hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam are ISO certified. In addition, sales and purchasing offices are located in Austin, Silicon Valley, Guadalajara, New York, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, and Penang. For more information, see http://www.smithweb.com/ or, to reach a Smith representative 24 hours a day, please call: 1.800.HOUSTON or +1 713.430.3000.
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For more information, contact:
Mark Bollinger
Smith & Associates, V.P. of Marketing
+1 713.430.3000
mbollinger(at)nfsmith(dot)com
Mark Bollinger, Smith & Associates, http://www.smithweb.com, +1 713.430.3000, [email protected]
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