Strategic Venture Aims to Impact Counterfeit Electronic Components Market

SolTec Electronics has been a leader in helping to promote the need for qualified independent distributors in the supply chain

PR Newswire

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- SolTec Electronics of Rockledge, Florida is proud to announce a strategic integration with Secure Components, an independent distributor of electronic and mechanical components for the aerospace and defense industry, based in Norristown, Pennsylvania. This is an exciting opportunity for SolTec Electronics as the combination offers SolTec clients the option of procuring electronic components under the SAE AS6081 Counterfeit Avoidance standard as well as providing increased sourcing capabilities.

Established in 2008, SolTec Electronics has become well known as a pioneer in raising awareness on the counterfeit component epidemic and has been a leader in helping to promote the need for qualified independent distributors in the supply chain.  Once a thriving industry, the counterfeit crisis has created a marketplace that has proven very difficult for many independents. The capital investment required to establish the level of quality and certification required in today's market has forced many good distributors out of business.

"For years, I have worked very hard as a small company to raise awareness for counterfeit avoidance and establish SolTec as reputable distributor; it is gratifying to see my effort come to fruition with the opportunities of integrating with an industry leader like Secure Components," states Dawn Gluskin, CEO of SolTec Electronics.  "I want my clients to know that they can still expect the same great service and I will continue to be hands on."  Dawn's role with Secure Components will focus primarily on Business Development to service existing SolTec clients, increase Secure Components market visibility, and to cultivate new relationships. Key alliances will be developed specifically with clients who require a procurement partner that is certified to protect their supply chains while complying with Section 818 of the National Defense Authorization Act and the new DFAR requirements for the procurement of electronic components.

Combining with Secure Components will allow SolTec's existing client base the ability to receive product that has undergone the most robust counterfeit avoidance techniques in the industry, should they require that level of mitigation.  Clients that require components used in "life critical" applications such as medical or aerospace and defense applications now have the ability to conduct transactions under the same certified quality platform and counterfeit avoidance standards currently utilized by the US Military, NASA and Defense Logistics Agency.

Secure Components is the first company in the world to become certified to the Department of Defense Adopted, AS6081 counterfeit avoidance standard.  AS6081 is an internationally recognized certification and is the sister standard to DoD Adopted "AS5553A" (a counterfeit avoidance standards of electronics designed for Manufacturers and OEMs).  Certified companies are audited annually by third party certification bodies, and the AS6081 standard is accredited by the International Electro-technical Commission Quality Systems (IECQ).  The IECQ Counterfeit Avoidance Program is internationally recognized through the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) based in Geneva, Switzerland.  Secure Components is also one of the few qualified suppliers of obsolete microcircuits for the Defense Logistics Agency. 

"We believe the combination of two quality oriented companies will offer SolTec clients value that they can, in turn, use to strategically generate more business by providing an AS6081 certified supply chain that reduces everyone's exposure to counterfeit electronics," says Dawn Gluskin, CEO of SolTec Electronics. "There is no doubt that the independent broker market for electronics has undergone tremendous change because of counterfeit components and in order to thrive in this new marketplace, one must become an active part of the solution."

While the Department of Defense has led the way with Federal Investigations and new laws to stop counterfeiting within the defense industry, more and more commercial accounts are wisely following suit and requiring suppliers to prove they have an accredited Counterfeit Avoidance plan as well. 

Dawn Gluskin has spent the past 12 years in the field of independent electronic distribution building strong partnerships most notably, the past 6 years as CEO of SolTec Electronics. During this time, SolTec achieved AS9120 and ESD S20.20 certification, was recognized by the Defense Logistics Agency as 'New Contractor of the Year', had multiple staff members on the SAE G-19 Counterfeit Electronics Part Committee, and hosted counterfeit detection and avoidance training sessions for associations such as Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA, where Dawn also served as VP of Marketing), and the American Society for Quality (ASQ). These events were well-attended by engineering and quality folks at companies such as NASA, Harris, DRS, and Rockwell Collins. Additionally, SolTec expertise has been featured in multiple industry publications such as EBN Online, Circuits Assembly, Electronics 007, and Electronics Purchasing Strategies.

SOURCE Secure Components

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