Gold Apollo Claims Exploded Pagers in Lebanon and Syria Were Made in Budapest

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The Taiwanese company Gold Apollo stated on Wednesday that it authorized its brand to be used on the pagers that recently exploded in Lebanon and Syria. However, they clarified that the manufacturing responsibility lies with a Budapest-based company.

According to a statement released by Gold Apollo, the AR-924 pagers, reportedly used by the Hezbollah militant group, were produced by BAC Consulting KFT, located in Hungary’s capital. The statement detailed that BAC was granted permission to utilize Gold Apollo’s trademark in specific regions.

Gold Apollo emphasized that their only role was to provide brand trademark authorization. They asserted that they had no involvement in the design or manufacturing processes of the pagers. “We only provide brand trademark authorization and have no involvement in the design or manufacturing of this product,” the company’s statement outlined.

Experts analyzing the situation suspect that explosive materials may have been added to the pagers before they were distributed and utilized, pointing to a significant flaw in the supply chain.

Gold Apollo’s chairman, Hsu Ching-kuang, addressed journalists and revealed that the brand authorization agreement with BAC had been in place for the last three years. His comments highlighted the cooperation between Gold Apollo and BAC, stating, “This company has cooperated with us and represents many of our products.” Hsu went on to explain that BAC sought permission to use Gold Apollo’s brand name for the pager products.

Further clarifying the matter, Hsu indicated that the design of the pagers involved in the explosion was conducted by BAC. Despite these disclosures, neither Hsu nor other representatives from Gold Apollo provided additional details about BAC or presented any evidence of their agreement.

When pressed for further information on BAC Consulting KFT, Hsu remained silent and subsequently left the press session without elaborating on the company’s involvement or the agreement specifics.

The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the potential misuse of brand authorization and highlights the risks associated with supply chain vulnerabilities. The explosions, linked to a dangerous and unauthorized modification of the devices, have sharply drawn attention to the responsibilities companies hold in safeguarding their brand integrity.

This situation underlines the complexities companies face when dealing with international partners and the ramifications that can surface from a lack of oversight. As authorities and experts continue to investigate the origins of the explosive modifications, the importance of stringent quality control and thorough vetting processes within manufacturing partnerships becomes even more evident.

The fallout from this incident could have far-reaching implications for both Gold Apollo and BAC Consulting KFT, as scrutiny intensifies regarding the safety protocols in place for products that can be weaponized. As investigations unfold, the repercussions for companies linked to the supply chain will be closely monitored by industry experts and legal authorities.