Smith Receives AS6081 Certification

Smith earns validation of its anti-counterfeiting prowess with this vigorous aerospace certification

Houston, TX (December 5, 2016) – Smith, a global distributor of electronic components and semiconductors, today announces its certification to the AS6081 aerospace standard. This certification recognizes Smith’s capability to safeguard the global electronics supply chain from inauthentic components that can threaten product and machine safety, performance, and reliability.

AS6081 is an SAE Aerospace Standard that defines vigorous practices to systematically prevent counterfeit electronic parts from entering the global supply chain. Avoidance protocol, detection, mitigation, and disposition of counterfeit electronic parts all contribute to safeguarding global markets against the insidious dangers counterfeit parts pose.

The focus on quality and security inherent in the AS6081 standard benefits Smith’s customers – especially those in the aerospace industry – by offering a further affirmation of authenticity and the assurance that they are partnering with a verified, secure vendor. The certification also bolsters Smith’s relationships throughout the supply chain by providing a framework for due diligence that informs the company’s relationships with its customers and suppliers alike. It supports improved risk management in regard to product traceability to assure that any issues can be dealt with at any step along Smith’s supply chain.

“Whether a customer of ours is putting components into airplanes or into consumer electronics, we are going to take every step to source and deliver authentic, secure parts,” said Kirk Wehby, Smith’s Chief Operating Officer. “The same high standards govern all of our operations, and the AS6081 certification provides us an even more vigorous framework to guide our sourcing and processes.”

“This is one more advancement towards Smith’s commitment to quality assurance and process improvement,” continued Wehby. “I look forward to seeing how we can support current and future customers alike with the benefits of this industry-leading certification.”

About Smith

Founded in 1984, Smith sources, manages, and distributes the electronic components that go into everything from mobile phones and computers to appliances and directional drilling systems. In 13 cities around the world, from Silicon Valley to Seoul, Smith’s 500 employees communicate in 36 different languages and buy and sell components 24 hours per day. Smith is always moving: helping manufacturers navigate market shifts; customizing supply chain solutions; testing components using cutting-edge technology. With testing and logistics hubs in Houston, Hong Kong, and Amsterdam, Smith’s processes focus on critical issues, from quality management to counterfeit prevention and environmental safety. Smith’s operations, purchasing, and sales worldwide are seamlessly integrated with the company’s global IT infrastructure, Saleschain™, offering real-time inventory and logistics visibility anywhere in the world. Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components and ranks number 13 among all global distributors. Smith’s Intelligent Distribution™ model adapts to ever-changing demands by providing seamless global electronics sourcing and logistics, regardless of distribution channel or locale. For more information, please visit http://www.smithweb.com, or, to reach a Smith representative 24 hours a day, please call +1 713.430.3000.

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For more information, contact:
Margo Evans
Smith, VP of Marketing
+1 713.430.3966
[email protected]