Food Processing - November 2007 - (Page 38)

COUNTERFEIT PARTS Likewise, assembled components needing significant or costly skilled labor are at high risk. One common example is electrical circuit breakers. Found in plants worldwide, in essentially all electrically operated equipment as well as homes across America, breakers are critical safety devices. “Counterfeit products pose serious health and safety hazards. They can fail catastrophically. Anyone near one of the counterfeit breakers when it explodes [can be] subjected to extreme heat, sprays of molten metal and a powerful blast,” says Jim Pauley, vice president of industry and government relations for Schneider Electric North America, which makes Square D, Telemecanique and other leading brands. “Alternately, if a fake breaker should fail to trip, overload and fire may result.” While fakes have been seen for more than 20 years, few were in North American markets, Pauley says, and the lower quality of such fakes usually was evident. Over the past few years, however, the problem has grown enormously, both in the quantity and sophistication of the fakes. Recently, the scope of counterFP0701_Noren.pdf 1/2/07 feiting has enlarged 4:21:31 PM other devices, and the fakes are to include becoming harder to detect. After a number of large seizures of counterfeits by customs officials, manufacturers and certifying bodies, such as UL and NEMA, have begun providing awareness and counterfeit-detection training to their distribution chain and to law enforcement bodies. Others have tried to better control the distri- bution chain, believing non-OEM representatives are at least easier to fool and may be complicit. Some companies and some specialized industries have managed to control the problem by limiting parts sales to a direct sales model, interacting directly with the end user. Clearly, this assumes the end user will adhere to such a supply regime. Others limit critical field service to factory-based service staff and provide ample telephone assistance and field manuals to processors’ in-house maintenance staffs. Wenger Manufacturing (www.wenger.com), Kansas City, Mo., a maker of extruders, follows such a direct and controlled process. Brian Plattner, technical center manger, suggests that strict insistence on direct supply of replacements and spares from the manufacturer has helped Wenger to avoid serious counterfeiting, although its equipment is used worldwide. TIPS TO aVOID COuNTERFEITS With the growth of counterfeit parts, there are a number of practices that management, plant and maintenance personnel can take to avoid them: 1. Remember: If it’s a bargain, there’s a reason. Without exception, parts manufacturers advise this as the first and most important clue in discovering a fake. 2. Clearly state the issues and risks of counterfeits to everyone within your organization who has responsibilities for sourcing, handling, using or maintaining MRO and supply parts. Empower them to be vigilant and to avoid acquiring or using “bandit” parts. 3. Buy only from the manufacturer or a known and authorized distributor. You are thus protected by both warranty and the reputation of the brand. Insist upon confirmation of a new or unfamiliar distributor’s status from the manufacturer. 4. Inspect and confirm packaging integrity of all received goods. Document and record. Question anything out of the ordinary with your supplier. 5. For mission-critical parts, develop a second, enhanced level of ordering, receiving and managing inventory of parts. 6. Check with the manufacturer or its authorized distribution any questionable parts or any offer to supply branded parts via an unfamiliar third party. 7. Contact the Coalition against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CaCP) at www.thecacp.com to receive a copy of the “No Trade in Fakes” supply chain tool kit. It is a free download, and contains a wealth of useful tips and practices. a supply chain webinar also is available at no cost, as are several links to related weblogs and sites. 8. Contact your legislative representatives – there are initiatives currently under consideration which require strong input from industry to achieve their goals of protecting your industry, your customers and yourself. WWW.FOODPROCESSING.COM LOW-COST COOLING FOR SEALED ELECTRICAL ENLOSURES THE COMPACT CABINET COOLER NEMA 4, 4X Stainless Steel units available Cools electrical panels and enclosures (including washdown, hazardous location and corrosion resistant applications). REMOVES HEAT WITHOUT LETTING CONTAMINANTS INSIDE ! *Prevents failures/downtime caused by overheating electronics * Easy as a fan to install * Costs a fraction of air-conditioning *Applications can be sized over the phone in many cases *NEMA Type 12, 3R, 4 and 4X Stainless Steel * UL/cUL available, RoHS compliance available *Maintenance Free * Freon Free TOLL FREE (866) 936-6736 (866) 93NOREN Visit us at www.norenproducts.com 38 • FOOD PROCESSING NOVEMBER 2007 http://www.wenger.com http://www.norenproducts.com http://www.thecacp.com http://www.norenproducts.com http://WWW.FOODPROCESSING.COM

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Food Processing - November 2007 Contents Editor's Page NewsBites Regulatory Rollout Food Biz Kids Our Favorite Products of 2007 Ingredients Product Development Plant Operations Packaging New Product Profiles Toops Scoops

Food Processing - November 2007

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