Movie fans--I'd point to the film The Departed in which computer chips that had been stolen from the now-declining 128 Tech Corridor were in play. Jack Nicholson was buying them from an Asian gang in a classic scene outlining the practices of commerce in the United States:
"No tickee, no laundry."
Politically incorrect on so many levels, but so was the character Frank Costello.
Hey Jenn--first, thanks for mentioning me in your lead! :-) Second, I have a collection of what I like to call "stupid counterfeiter tricks." The first was a counterfeiter that spelled "Malaysia" wrong on the "Made In" label.
I covered a story in which a single individual set up several bogus accounts at major banks. That person then orderd a bunch of components from distributors. After they checked his credit, they shipped the products. The checks bounced and the distributors finally began investigating, but by then, the individual was gone. He was finally caught as part of an FBI investigation that uncovered many such operations in the Silicon Valley area.
Back in the days before the Internet (not THAT long ago) I know of two distributors were actually held up at gunpoint for trays of microprocessors. I believe the warehouses were based in the LA/Orange County area. They had to change the entire warehouse operation afterward.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.