Counterfeit parts seized at aftermarket distributors have been crushed by original equipment parts supplier Schaeffler. The company says it has destroyed around 26 tons of counterfeit rolling bearings with a value of more than one million Euros.

A large proportion of the counterfeit products destroyed at a factory in Germany originated from raids at bearing distributors in Europe, including Britain, Germany and Italy. News of the destruction of the fake bearings follows the launch of a campaign on quality initiated by a recently formed action group of leading OE suppliers. The Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) comprises 16 aftermarket suppliers of OE components, including Schaeffler.

The bearings destroyed in Germany were counterfeit products marked with Schaeffler's INA and FAG brand, which were confiscated in raids and seized as part of an operation to make the bearings unusable.

Ingrid Bichelmeir-B