The problem of counterfeit products in the bearings industry is mushrooming on a global scale. 

When customers are unaware of the quality and origin of the bearings used, this can pose exponential threats to machinery reliability and to the health and safety of workers and the environment. 

What’s more, they run the risk of increased operational costs that extends far beyond the purchase price and may additionally experience irreversible reputational damage.

Why are supply shortages causing the sharp rise in bearings counterfeiting? 

The lack of local and global stock and extended lead times are increasing pressure on purchasing departments. As global product availability declines owing to raw material shortages, prices and lead times subsequently skyrocket.

As such, purchasers seek to cut costs and meet deadlines by buying cheaper and more readily available products labeled ‘SKF’ as they trust the brand without vetting the supplier thereof. This makes them an easy target for counterfeiting operations to supply.