AIAG’s Auto ID Showcase Presents Brand Protection and Defenses Against Counterfeiting

AIAG’s Auto ID Showcase Presents Brand Protection and Defenses Against Counterfeiting

12th annual event continues tradition of educating automotive supply chain on automatic identification technologies

In a continuing effort to inform the automotive supply chain about current and future applications of automatic identification (auto ID) technology — including those to guard against counterfeiting as well as best practices in brand protection — the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) will hold its 12th annual Auto ID Showcase on April 18, 2007, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Nov, Mich.

The theme of the conference is Automatic Identification Technologies Unite the Industry, highlighting the integration of auto ID technologies and the use of complimentary technologies for streamlining processes and collaborations with other standards organizations (ANSI, EPCglobal, JAPIA, Odette and ISO) to unify auto ID standards. Mark Thomas of FedEx Services will deliver the keynote presentation at 9:15 a.m. on the

importance of auto ID in aiding traceability at the company.

With the automotive industry losing billions each year to bogus auto parts, AIAG’s Auto ID Showcase will also feature a session on brand protection and anti-counterfeiting presented on behalf of the Brand Protection Alliance by Matt Goldhawk, business development executive, IIMAK Secure. He will discuss the sources of counterfeiting and grey market activities that rob companies of their profitability and brand integrity, best practices for companies in defending their brand and how auto ID can cost effectively support product authentication.

Other industry experts from Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Freedom Technologies, Inc., ToolWorx and the U.S. Department of Defense will present application-specific information and case studies, emerging technologies, as well as work toward global auto ID standards. Approximately 40 companies will demonstrate solutions in bar code, 2-D, shipping labels, RFID and other technologies on an exhibit floor.

The complete event agenda is available on the AIAG Web site at http://www.aiag.org/

To register for AIAG’s Auto ID Showcase, visit the AIAG Web site.

About AIAG

Founded in 1982, AIAG is a globally recognized organization where OEMs and suppliers unite to address and resolve issues affecting the worldwide automotive supply chain. AIAG’s goals are to reduce cost and complexity through collaboration; improve product quality, health, safety and the environment; and optimize speed to market throughout the supply chain. Headquartered in the metro Detroit area, its more than 1,500 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.aiag.org/