NSK´s Fight Against Counterfeiting Continues With Seizure Of Fake Bearing Packaging In China
The quest to stop the fake bearings industry continues apace at NSK, where the recent seizure of counterfeit NSK packaging and labels in Hebei Province, China, illustrates the scale of the problem. More than 23,000 fake boxes and cartons, which were subsequently confiscated pending further investigation and potential prosecution, were discovered in Linxi County, Xintai City.
Koichi Uchida, Manager of NSK´s GAM-IMBD department and member of JBIA (Japan Bearing Industry Association) and WBA (World Bearing Association), works closely with local authorities around the world to enforce law and order on counterfeiters. His aim is to protect NSK´s reputation and brand from being misrepresented in the bearing market.
Widely respected, NSK has been established for over 100 years and is recognised around the globe for manufacturing high quality and reliable bearing products that are used in many different industries, including automotive. For this reason, NSK has become a target brand for counterfeiters.
Dishonourable traders who ply their trade in fake bearings not only put their own businesses at risk – by sourcing and selling inferior quality bearings – but that of innocent end users, who unwittingly buy these products in the belief they are getting »the real thing» at a reduced price.
Of course, such bearings have the potential to fail prematurely, even catastrophically, thus presenting an inherent safety risk. In turn, there is a significant negative effect on the brand image of NSK.
The challenge of catching counterfeiters, especially in countries like China, is a time-intensive, high-cost exercise. However, NSK continues undeterred in its relentless pursuit of these disingenuous operations. The latest success in Hebei arrived with the assistance of an investigator and Chinese government officials.
Contained within the counterfeit store was a large quantity of fake, premium-brand bearing packaging, located either on shelves, piled inside woven bags or simply stacked on the floor. Furthermore, inkjet printers and people producing counterfeit cartons were found on site. When questioned about the seized bearing packages, the owner of the business admitted that all were fake.
Although the seizure in China was an important strike against the fake bearings industry, it unfortunately only represents a small proportion of what is believed to be present in the market globally. As a consequence, NSK and the team of Mr Uchida will continue fighting the counterfeiters to protect the company´s brand image and integrity.
More information about the fake bearings industry can be found at www.stopfakebearings.com, which is a WBA website that serves as both an awareness and educational platform, helping bearing users to become more informed consumers. The site stresses the importance of only dealing with authorised and trusted sources.
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
