EBM‑Papst Fans and Motors manufacturer has successfully pursued and broken up a Chinese company that was selling counterfeit and refurbished versions of its products.
The company, which was based in Shenzhen, China, was manufacturing and selling counterfeit EBM‑Papst fans that were identical in appearance to the genuine products. The company was also refurbishing old EBM‑Papst fans and selling them as new.
EBM‑Papst became aware of the counterfeit products after a customer in March 2023 received 40 EBM‑Papst fans that appeared unusual compared to previous purchases. The customer contacted EBM‑Papst, who immediately launched an investigation.
The investigation revealed that the counterfeit fans were being manufactured in a factory in Shenzhen. The factory was using poor-quality materials and manufacturing techniques, and the fans were not meeting EBM‑Papst’s stringent quality standards.
EBM‑Papst then worked with the Chinese authorities to raid the factory. The raid resulted in the seizure of 149 counterfeit fans and 260 labels. The factory was also shut down.
In addition to the raid, EBM‑Papst has also filed a lawsuit against the company. The company is seeking damages of more than €1 million.
“Counterfeit products pose significant threats to both our business and our customers,” explained Ralf Duckeck, Head of Marketing and Communications at EBM‑Papst. “They undermine our brand reputation and can potentially jeopardise the trust our customers place in us. Meanwhile, their subpar quality and performance can lead to immeasurable damage to our customers’ reputation and equipment safety.”
“We are committed to protecting our intellectual property and our brand reputation,” said Duckeck. “We will continue to take all necessary steps to bring counterfeiters to justice.”
Summary:
- EBM‑Papst has successfully pursued and broken up a Chinese company that was selling counterfeit and refurbished versions of its products.
- The company was manufacturing and selling counterfeit EBM‑Papst fans that were identical in appearance to the genuine products.
- EBM‑Papst became aware of the counterfeit products after a customer in March 2023 received 40 EBM‑Papst fans that appeared unusual compared to previous purchases.
- The investigation revealed that the counterfeit fans were being manufactured in a factory in Shenzhen.
- EBM‑Papst worked with the Chinese authorities to raid the factory.
- The raid resulted in the seizure of 149 counterfeit fans and 260 labels.
- EBM‑Papst has also filed a lawsuit against the company.
- EBM‑Papst is committed to protecting its intellectual property and brand reputation.
- The company will continue to take all necessary steps to bring counterfeiters to justice.