The issue of counterfeit parts being sold in the United States can pose a risk to highway safety, according to a representative of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, who spoke at a briefing on anti-counterfeiting measures hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Andy Cifranic, brand manager for Bendix, represented the transportation industry on a panel made up of government officials, U.S. Chamber of Commerce members and other business leaders affected by counterfeiting. The panel spoke as part of the launch of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "No Trade in Fakes Supply Chain Tool Kit" that was unveiled. Bendix is one of seven companies that contributed a case study to the tool kit.
"In the commercial vehicle industry, particularly within the braking system, the significance among affected manufacturers is more than lost revenue," Cifranic said. "Counterfeit parts raise a legitimate concern for vehicle performance and, ultimately, highway safety.
"The nature of our business involves efficiently stopping heavy vehicles, so any compromise to the integrity of vehicle braking systems due to poorly manufactured knock-off components can have serious consequences on our brand, our customers and highway safety in general."
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in recent years, counterfeiting, piracy and other property rights violations have grown in magnitude and complexity, costing U.S. businesses billions of dollars in lost revenue and often posing health and safety risks to consumers.
A report from ICE indicated federal agencies made more than 14,000 seizures of counterfeit goods valued at more than $155 million in 2006, representing a 67 percent increase from the previous year. Also, ICE made 219 arrests, and secured 134 indictments and 170 convictions in intellectual property rights violations.
Bendix, the North American leader in commercial vehicle safety and braking system technologies, has been on the forefront of efforts to combat this epidemic.
A charter member of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Brand Protection Council, Bendix and its anti-counterfeiting program has garnered national attention within and outside of the trucking industry. Company officials have recently shared their best practices at a Senate subcommittee hearing on the topic, as well as on previous panels at national anti-counterfeiting conferences alongside consumer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Oakley and New Balance.
Bendix CEO Joe McAleese has also appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" during a segment on dangerous and defective counterfeit parts.
"Bendix has implemented a comprehensive approach to fight back against counterfeiters that encompasses intellectual property protection, enforcement, awareness and education," Cifranic said.