MILTON KEYNES – October 27, 2026 -- Three SMT Corp executives presented at the Counterfeit Awareness & Trusted Supply Chains Workshop, held at BSI's headquarters on September 24, 2026, where aerospace and defence professionals examined counterfeit risk across multi-tier supply chains.
SMT Corp President Mike Schwarm, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Mark Broadhead, and Vice President of Technology Dr. Nicholas Williams covered supply chain assurance, real-world counterfeit cases, and component authentication and testing.
Counterfeit controls weaken as components pass through multiple supplier tiers
Avoidance requirements become harder to manage with each additional tier. Clear contractual requirements, supplier oversight and supporting evidence keep visibility intact beyond immediate suppliers.
DEF STAN 05-135 applies according to procurement and contractual terms
UK Defence Standard 05-135 sets out arrangements for managing counterfeit materiel risk. Its application depends on the relevant procurement and contractual requirements, so communication with sub-tier suppliers is essential.
SMEs and cross-sector entrants face traceability and assurance gaps
Businesses entering aerospace and defence from other sectors may be unfamiliar with expectations on traceability, counterfeit avoidance and supplier assurance. Sharing practical knowledge helps them identify gaps and put appropriate controls in place.
Dr. Williams stresses agreeing verification methods with customers
Dr. Williams addressed technical considerations in component testing, including the need to determine appropriate verification methods with customers.
The workshop concluded that effective mitigation requires applying controls throughout the supply chain and clearly communicating requirements, not only understanding standards. SMT Corp said it will continue sharing technical knowledge with the European aerospace and defence community.