NBC2 Investigates: Counterfeit Components
Victor Bard and the team at Merrit Electronics in Fort Myers face that concern every day. They verify and authenticate electronic pieces for everyone from appliance companies to the military.
"If you get a counterfeit part and it ends up in medical equipment – say, a pacemaker - somebody's life is depending on that and it could actually result in death," Bard said. "The counterfeit industry over the last 10 years has just been amping up year after year. Some estimates put it at a $10-billion-a-year industry now."
And fakes are getting harder to spot. That's where a special X-ray machine comes in - the only of its kind between Tampa and Miami.
"If there are any doubts to parts authentication the X-ray is the ultimate tool in our arsenal," Bard explained.
Efforts are ongoing on both sides of the state to make sure consumers stay safe.
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Ed Dimmler from PCX, Inc. during the IDEA Training at Creative Electron, June 2011
Debra Eggeman from IDEA at the Del Mar Electronics Show in Del Mar, CA, May 2-3 2011
Tom Sharpe from SMT Corporation at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Kristal Snider from ERAI at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Mike DiBenedetto from SND Electronics at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Gil Aouizerat from PCX Inc. at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Keith Gilkes and Brian Wilson from MicroRam Electronics Inc.. at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Victor Bard and the team at Merrit Electronics in Fort Myers face that concern every day. They verify and authenticate electronic pieces for everyone from appliance companies to the military.
"If you get a counterfeit part and it ends up in medical equipment – say, a pacemaker - somebody's life is depending on that and it could actually result in death," Bard said. "The counterfeit industry over the last 10 years has just been amping up year after year. Some estimates put it at a $10-billion-a-year industry now."
And fakes are getting harder to spot. That's where a special X-ray machine comes in - the only of its kind between Tampa and Miami.
"If there are any doubts to parts authentication the X-ray is the ultimate tool in our arsenal," Bard explained.
Efforts are ongoing on both sides of the state to make sure consumers stay safe.
Click here if video does not start.
Ed Dimmler from PCX, Inc. during the IDEA Training at Creative Electron, June 2011
Debra Eggeman from IDEA at the Del Mar Electronics Show in Del Mar, CA, May 2-3 2011
Tom Sharpe from SMT Corporation at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Kristal Snider from ERAI at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Mike DiBenedetto from SND Electronics at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Gil Aouizerat from PCX Inc. at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011
Keith Gilkes and Brian Wilson from MicroRam Electronics Inc.. at the ERAI Executive Conference in Las Vegas, April 28-29 2011