CLEVELAND, Ohio – With the assistance of ContiTech’s Power Transmission Group, local police in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, have seized and destroyed more than 10,000 illegally copied drive belts and packaging items featuring the ContiTech logo.
 
The counterfeit items printed with the ContiTech logo were seized on the premises of a parts dealer named Asia Tiger Auto Parts LLC and then destroyed. The belts were destined for the spare parts aftermarket.

“This is a big catch and a major success in the fight against counterfeit products,” said Helmut Engel, head of the Automotive Aftermarket business at the ContiTech Power Transmission Group.

Proceedings already have been initiated against the company in the Emirate (state) of Sharjah. The producer of the pirated copies could not be traced, according to ContiTech.
 
The pirated V-ribbed belts and sleeves were confiscated after a raid by the local police and destroyed with a heavy roller.

“The design of the belts and packaging was copied entirely, but with variations,” said Lars Klostermann from the technical service department of the ContiTech Power Transmission Group.

In addition to major non-conformances in the material, ContiTech says there were some obvious visible deviations from the genuine product – including the product identification on the belts and the design of the sleeves. Some of the packaging items had the old ContiTech logo on them, the company adds.
 
ContiTech says it is taking strong action to counter fake goods. In 2009, a Chinese manufacturer was found to be producing fake ContiTech belts. A fine was imposed on the manufacturer. The company says this case was a big success because, for the first time, it was possible to locate the producer of the counterfeits. In 2007, a dealer and a general importer in Taiwan were sued for damages, and in Malta approximately 20,000 fake drive belts and packaging were destroyed.
 
ContiTech advises aftermarket customers to procure their goods from official ContiTech partners.

“This is the only way that customers can be certain that they really are purchasing a belt which has the quality of the ContiTech original,” said Klostermann.

Counterfeit belts do not offer the same quality of material and workmanship and guarantees as ContiTech drive belts. If a belt tears, this can result in costly engine damage, the company points out.
 
In protecting against pirated products, ContiTech says it pursues a "holistic concept," consisting of organizational, technical, legal and communicative measures. Among other actions, the company is active at trade fairs in its fight to protect its products and brands.

“A regular and open exchange with our customers helps us increase the effectiveness of measures against product piracy,” said Engel.

ContiTech is currently working on a comprehensive identification system that is designed to protect the belts from being copied in the future.