Fusion Leads the Fight Against Counterfeit Electronics and Semiconductors

[June 28, 2004]

Fusion Leads the Fight Against Counterfeit Electronics and Semiconductors

ANDOVER, Mass. --(Business Wire)-- June 28, 2004 -- Leading Independent Distributor Unveils New Test and Measurement Facility and Provides Customers a $3 Million Pledge

Fusion, a leading independent distributor of electronic components, telecommunications equipment, computer products and peripherals, today introduced two first-of-its-kind measures to address the counterfeiting issues that have been a recurrent challenge for the electronics industry. Fusion has built a comprehensive, ESD-compliant, test and measurement facility where CPUs, memory, storage devices, active ICs, passive components and finished goods can be tested prior to shipping them to customers. Additionally, the company has expanded its FusionFIRST program to include a no counterfeiting pledge, where Fusion will back the products it ships with a $3 million guarantee.

"Counterfeiting is a challenge facing the entire distribution industry, and it needs to be addressed head on," said John Irving, executive vice president for Fusion. "While Fusion carefully screens and qualifies all of our suppliers, and has never been a victim of counterfeiting, we are aware of many companies in the industry that have been victims. With our unique testing facility and $3 million guarantee, our customers can be completely confident that Fusion is taking a leading role in addressing this issue."

Bringing Test & Measurement to the Independent Channel

With the increasing sophistication of many counterfeiters, electronics distributors that only perform cursory physical inspections put their customers at risk. To provide enhanced testing services, Fusion opened a 6,000 sq. foot, ESD-compliant facility, to serve as the headquarters of the Fusion Test and Measurement Division. This is the only facility of its type run by an independent distributor. Fusion will automatically test any suspect products, and will provide customers with the option, for no charge, to have any product inspected here prior to taking receipt of the goods.

Beyond FusionFIRST--The No Counterfeit Pledge

Fusion took the lead in the industry in 2003 with its FusionFIRST 105 percent delivery guarantee. In a little more than a full year of operation, Fusion has grown to be one of the ten largest independent distributors, with revenues of $102 million. Because of Fusion's unique internal processes, the company was recently awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification.

Fusion is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to customers by expanding the FusionFIRST program to protect customers from counterfeiting. If, despite Fusion's comprehensive testing, a client receives a counterfeit product, Fusion will replace the product, refund 5 percent of the purchase price and provide up to $3 million in liability coverage to the customer to deal with any impact to the customer's production line or scheduling. No other company in the industry offers this pledge.

About Fusion

Fusion is a leading open market distributor that helps computer, telecommunications, automotive and consumer electronics manufacturers source, procure and distribute electronic components, telecommunications equipment, computer products and peripherals. Fusion enables manufacturers to correct the inefficiencies inherent in the procurement, ownership and disposition of products, while reducing risk and maintaining production volumes. More information is available at Fusion's Web site, www.FusionTrade.com

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