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Global trade is now a fact of life for the majority of manufacturing and electronics SMEs in the UK. Taking advantage of the burgeoning production capacity in Asia can bring huge competitive advantages, and many of the exhibitors at Southern Manufacturing and Electronics are now actively sourcing products and services in this way.

However, finding the right overseas partner and building that essential trust is sometimes not without difficulty. Issues such as quality control and supply chain management have been much in the news recently, but how much of this is based on fact? Visitors to Southern Manufacturing & Electronics will have the chance to separate fact from fiction by meeting organisations directly involved in international trade.

Companies and bodies represented will include China Trade UK (Stand J38), International Business Wales (J37) and Component Bureau (Stand O20). Organisations such as these have been involved in sourcing electronics components from the Far East for a considerable period of time, and have amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge about the market.

Some of the pitfalls of sourcing components overseas will also be examined as part of the Southern Electronics free seminar programme. Component counterfeiting is a growing problem. With a semiconductor market worth $250bn even 2-3% counterfeiting is significant. Hosted by Bob Willis, the seminar covers financial issues associated with product failure, product delays or loss of reputation, as well as examining some practical steps companies can take to avoid being caught by this growing menace.

The Southern Manufacturing & Electronics Show embarks on its second decade of growth on February 6th and 7th 2008, with a new venue, improved facilities and a host of new attractions. Welcoming visitors to the show’s new home at FIVE, Farnborough, will be a programme of events and attractions, that the organisers say decisively establish the event as  the South’s premier engineering and manufacturing showcase.