In co-operation with the WBA (World Bearing Association), NSK has developed a new app to help combat the ongoing issue of fake bearings. In recent years, the company has been working closely with the WBA, JBIA (Japan Bearing Industry Association) and authorities around the world to enforce law and order on counterfeiters, and eliminate bogus bearings from the marketplace.
With a history that dates back over 100 years, NSK is today recognised around the world for producing high quality and reliable bearings that are deployed in a plethora of important industries, including automotive. As a result, NSK has become a target brand for counterfeiters.
Discreditable operators who make their money from copycat bearings not only place their own businesses at risk – by unscrupulously sourcing and selling inferior quality bearings – but that of unwitting end users, who think they are getting genuine bearings at a bargain price. In addition, counterfeit bearings have the potential to fail prematurely, perhaps catastrophically, therefore presenting an inherent safety risk.
In light of these issues, NSK engages in multifaceted efforts to combat fake bearings, recent results of which include the ´NSK Verify ´ app. NSK Verify permits customers to assess the authenticity of bearings by scanning a special 2D barcode found on the box.
As the next step in NSK´s efforts to eliminate fake bearings, the company has collaborated with fellow major bearing companies to develop another new app ´WBA Bearing Authenticator: WBACheck´. This latest app is capable of assessing the bearing authenticity of WBA member companies, again by scanning a 2D barcode.
Such a quick task makes it easy for customers who acquire bearings from multiple companies to ensure originality. Furthermore, if an unregistered bearing is detected, the app will automatically notify NSK. The new WBACheck app is available to download from the official WBA website at www.stopfakebearings.com.
Ultimately, the task of apprehending counterfeiters is a time-intensive, high-cost exercise. However, NSK continues undeterred in its hunt of these deceitful traders in fake bearings to ensure that customers worldwide can keep purchasing and using NSK products with confidence.
NSK Europe Ltd
- 01636 605 123
- info-uk@nsk.com
- Belmont Place, Belmont Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 6TB GB
About us
Established over 100 years ago, NSK (Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha) is a Japanese-listed company that has evolved from a regional ball bearing supplier to a roller bearing specialist and automotive supplier with a global market presence. Today, NSK employs more than 31,400 employees in 30 countries. As per March 2019, NSK achieved sales of 991,4 billion Yen. This result has been driven by ever-increasing investment in research & development, enabling the company to continuously improve the quality of its products and services. This investment supports NSK’s objective of “No. 1 in Total Quality”. In addition to a complete rolling bearing portfolio, NSK develops and manufactures precision components and mechatronic products, as well as systems and components for the automotive industry, including wheel bearing units and electric power-steering systems. In 1963, NSK’s first European subsidiary, Düsseldorf, Germany, was opened and in 1976, the first European production facility in Peterlee, England. Today, NSK Europe supports pan-European sales with production locations in England, Poland and Germany, logistics centres in the Netherlands, Germany and England and technology centres in Germany, England and Poland. In 1990, NSK purchased the UPI Group including the renowned European bearing manufacturer RHP, with its factory in Newark (UK). Additionally, NSK has developed a comprehensive network of authorised sales distributors. NSK Europe is divided into application-based business divisions: Industry rolling bearing technologies & linear and precision technology (EIBU) as well as bearing modules and steering systems for the automotive industry (EABU & ESBU). In this organisation, NSK Europe's 4,260 employees achieved a turnover of over 1,045 million Euros as per March 2019.
Where we supply to
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
