The International Market For Brand Protection Solutions For Electronic Equipment & Components

Vandagraf International Limited
August 1, 2010
133 Pages - SKU: DEGQ6276551
License type:
Vandagraf International has been researching and publishing a series of reports on ‘Brand Protection Solutions’. Each report focuses on specific vertical markets.

The Electronics Equipment & Components industry embraces a broad range of dissimilar product categories:
  • Key building blocks in the electronics industry including ICs, PCBs / PCAs, capacitors, transistors, resistors and the like.
  • Electronic equipment / electrical engineering components used in electrical power generation / transmission / distribution and consumption, manufacturing, construction and other industries
  • Consumer electronic / electrical products sold at retail and through other routes to market, including internet sales. Computers (PCs and peripherals). Mobile telephones and accessories. Household electronic / electrical, appliances for cooking and cleaning, lighting and heating. Electronic / electrical personal care devices including women’s hair straightening / curling tongs, men’s electric shavers, electric toothbrushes and the like. Domestic entertainment equipment / consumer electronics (incl. iPods, electronic games, TVs and radios, video / audio and multi-media equipment). Power tools.
All such products should conform to stringent safety standards, but counterfeit versions rarely do.

There are increasing numbers with high-tech goods that are being counterfeited. Counterfeiting of electronics components and also all kinds of electronic products is today widespread and has become a major problem for the industry.

There have been many instances of severe safety failures resulting in injury and even death because of counterfeit components in Electronic Equipment & Components. In addition the failure of individual components can lead to knock-on failures in major systems or infrastructure.

Global financial losses due to counterfeiting and other product related crime relating to Electronic Parts and Components in 2008 have been estimated at $104.7 billion with electronic parts and components accounting for some $29.5 billion and finished products a further $75.2 billion.

This report identifies vulnerable products categories and identifies niche opportunities for brand protection solutions. The report also describes the different approaches to brand protection that are available to companies and organisations operating in these sectors.

Many electronics hardware manufacturing companies have been relocating to Asia-Pacific over the past ten to twenty years. Today brand owner manufacturers of components through to finished electronic goods rely on intricate networks of sub-assembly manufacturers.

Since many electronic components find their way into the hands of ‘wholesalers’ - who sell individual parts, and / or sub-assemblies on to the major brand owners - there is an ever present danger that counterfeit electronic components can enter the supply chain system.

The Internet provides counterfeiters with a low cost means of promoting and selling their wares, while also offering a relatively safe ‘smoke screen’ between the supplier and the customer which means that the counterfeiter can usually avoid being apprehended.

Leading brand owner companies in the Electronic Equipment & Components sectors are taking increasingly seriously the cost and even more importantly the dangers of product related crime.

An overview of problems and key drivers, together with descriptions of appropriate solutions, including actual case studies are included. The case for 1st, 2nd and / or 3rd level brand protection technologies is examined.

Various types of brand protection device have been employed to protect different product categories from electronic components through to consumer electronic / electrical products sold at retail.

Requirements and hence optimal solutions clearly differ substantially - These aspects are explored in this report and in some cases illustrated with actual Case Studies.