Bendix takes fight against fake parts up a gear

ELYRIA, Ohio — One of North America’s most vocal businesses against counterfeit vehicle parts continues to spread its message.

The influx of counterfeit parts can pose a risk to highway safety, Andy Cifranic, brand manager for 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.

Cifranic represented the transportation industry on a panel made up of government officials, U.S. Chamber of Commerce members and other business leaders affected by knock-off parts and components.

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 today. 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.

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.

Bendix CEO Joe McAleese has also appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” during a segment on dangerous and defective counterfeit parts.