Counterfeit Bearings: A Hidden Risk in the Raw Materials Sector 

The raw materials sector, encompassing industries such as mining, cement, and steel, is the backbone of global industrial supply chains. These industries operate in unforgiving conditions, where dust, moisture, extreme loads, and continuous operation place immense stress on machinery. At the heart of these machines are bearings, the critical components enabling rotation under such harsh demands. But as reliance on bearings has increased, so too has the threat of counterfeit products infiltrating the market. 

Why the Raw Materials Sector is Vulnerable 

Mining equipment, cement kilns, and raw material conveyors often run around the clock. Bearings in these applications are expected to deliver consistent performance under high pressure, with little tolerance for error. Counterfeit bearings cannot replicate these characteristics. In such environments, their use significantly raises the likelihood of breakdowns, jeopardising productivity and safety. Experts note that lower-grade materials or poor manufacturing methods common in counterfeit bearings can shorten bearing life by up to 20 times compared to genuine components.

The Consequences of Counterfeit Bearings 

The impact of using counterfeit bearings in heavy industries is severe. Not only does the equipment face an operational issue, but distributors and end-customers face their own set of consequences and risks too.

How distributors are affected: 

• Liability for all damage resulting from the sale of counterfeit products; manufacturers will not address claims on counterfeit products
• Lawsuits by parties suffering injury or damages
• Reputational loss, erosion of trust with suppliers and customers, and consequent sales and financial loss
• Regulatory or criminal penalties for selling counterfeit products

Impact on end-customers:  

• Risks to personnel safety and the lifespan of machinery
• Higher subsequent maintenance costs
• Lower operational efficiency through potential production halts
• Use of counterfeit products may void equipment warranties and insurance claims 
• Loss of brand image, as counterfeits reduce the quality of the company's products 

Identifying and Preventing Counterfeits 

Procurement and maintenance teams play a frontline role in the fight against counterfeit bearings. Often, emerging doubts are ignored. Instead, we recommend the following procedure. 

Check whether the bearing was delivered in original packaging: 

• Examine bearing marking: Is the bearing labelled with the type, country of origin and brand? Does the labelling meet the known standard?
• Are quality deficiencies visible on the bearing itself, such as scuffs, rust, or contamination?
• Using the Schaeffler OriginCheck app, verify the authenticity of the DMC on the label and, if present, on the bearing. 

The OriginCheck app has also been expanded to include the option of verifying distributor certificates alongside bearing packaging. Simply scan the data matrix code on the sales partner certificate. 

If there is any uncertainty on the authenticity of a Schaeffler product or if you come across a counterfeit product, submit a counterfeit report on the OriginCheck app or drop a query at piracy@schaeffler.com

Building a Resilient Supply Chain 

The most effective safeguard lies in sourcing exclusively from authorised distributors, where authenticity, traceability, and compliance with OEM standards are guaranteed. Beyond genuine products, authorised partners often provide value-added services including technical support, predictive maintenance training, and inventory management, critical assets for industries reliant on uptime. 

To streamline this process, companies can turn to tools like the Schaeffler Partner Finder, an online resource designed to help identify certified distribution partners worldwide to strengthen procurement strategies and reduce the risk of counterfeit infiltration. 

Conclusion 

In summary, the raw materials sector’s reliance on durable, high-performance bearings makes it especially vulnerable to the threat of counterfeit products. The risks, ranging from equipment failure to safety hazards, are too significant to ignore. By implementing robust procurement practices, training teams to identify counterfeits, and building supply chains anchored in authorised distributors, industry stakeholders can protect their operations, their workforce, and their long-term productivity. 

In a mission to protect brand reputation, reduce legal consequences and eliminate fake products, manufacturers like Schaeffler are proactively doing their part to end the escalating issue affecting the mining sector in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. 

In a sector where operational resilience is non-negotiable, safeguarding against counterfeit bearings is not merely best practice; it is a necessity. 

Sources:  

https://www.bearing-news.com/counterfeit-bearings-know-the-risks/ 

https://medias.schaeffler.sg/en/industrial-blog/anti-counterfeit_mining  

Schaeffler Partner Finder: https://medias.schaeffler.de/link/en/store-finder 

Success Stories: https://medias.schaeffler.de/link/en/success-stories/0162 / https://medias.schaeffler.de/link/en/success-stories/0160 

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