Avoid counterfeit products

Brammer, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products and services, are urging UK manufacturers to be extra vigilant when purchasing spare parts, following the recent discovery of 30 tonnes of counterfeit bearings in the Czech Republic – one of the largest ever hauls of counterfeit products found in Europe.

The latest counterfeit discovery highlights the growing problem of fake parts entering the European markets and demonstrates more clearly than ever the importance of only purchasing spares through an authorized distributor.

‘Counterfeit products have become an increasingly serious problem in the industrial spares aftermarket over recent years with the products often offered with the prospect of a shorter lead time or small purchase price saving, but at what real cost,’ explained Ian Ritchie, managing director of Brammer UK.

‘At best, the counterfeit part will not perform as well as a genuine part. What is more likely, as counterfeit parts can degrade and fail quickly, is unplanned downtime, damage to machinery and potentially major health and safety implications. Companies who have purchased counterfeit parts can expect no redress from the alleged manufacturers or insurers when these parts fail.’

A recent survey carried out by Brammer of more than 330 manufacturing companies found that 84% of those questioned rated the authentication of the MRO products they use as ‘important’ or ‘very important’ – a clear recognition of the risks posed by counterfeit items.

Mr Ritchie continued: ‘Modern counterfeits have perfected the art of making their parts look identical in every way to the genuine parts. Customers often ask us on how they can avoid the possibility of purchasing a counterfeit part and the answer is very simple – only buy through authorized distributors accredited by the manufacturer. The same advice is given by all the leading engineering component manufacturers.’

In addition to offering guaranteed sources of supply and lead times, Brammer can add further value for customers by working in partnership to improve their MRO procurement and production output and efficiency in a long-term, sustainable way through a range of business process improvements and managed services.

Brammer UK, Claverton Court, Claverton Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9NE; tel: (0161) 953 8633; fax: (0161) 953 8694.