21 May 2012
Bankers & Brokers Brace for Bearing Industry Decisions
Many international bankers, global investment brokers and Financial reporters eg. Bank of America, HSBC, ING, JP Morgan Chase, Bloomberg, Reuters etc have contacted the Bearingcode checking for decisions from the EU Commissioners and Japans FTC into alleged corruption by the major bearing manufacturers.
Decisions by these government authorities will be released shortly and Bearingcode will provide complete details of proceedings. Every shareholder who invested into Bearing corporations are advised that the SKF President & CEO Tom Johnstone states; "Regarding a possible violation of EU antitrust rules. Given the nature of these investigations, the outcome may affect the Group's results and cash flow with an amount that may be material". Similar 2012 Federal court decisions into 'Price Fixing' and Corrupt activity have penalized each company over $400 million and over 2 years jail for each corporate Excutive.
The bearingcode understands that certain regulations to any Industry may stifle creative thinking and production; however for private & public monies invested into bearing corporations, only to find years later, profits have erroded and dividends well under profiles issued in brochures by financial Institutions. This corruption by the Bearing Industry is not the first time and appears somewhat pandemic, made worse by excutives who are placed in a position of trust but failing their shareholders.
Suggestions of a Anti Trust Ombudsman, Code of Conduct or Corporate Governence Compliance are treated with scoff and laughter by SKF Schaeffler & their Japanese followers, stating they have there own 'strict guidelines'
Other areas of Anti Trust include compliance to manufacturing. BOEING AIRCRAFT Washington has voiced concern into auditing of material specification citing cases of premature failure to bearing joints on cargo doors, this has been ongoing from SAE Bearing Committee meetings. The result is not pleasing as bearing producers hide when Compliance to a Code of conduct is mentioned. TIMKEN has stated in Mumbai asscociation meeting that any form of regulation was counter productive and would not be resolved by a Certificate hanging on the office wall.
This Timken statement allows illegal operators such as NKE Austria and FBJ Singapore to fake a Country of Origin and endangers the bearing industry in another OHS direction.
12 May 2012
Anti Trust Scrutinizes Bearing Associations
The identity known as 'WBA' World Bearing Association having no registration or incorporation; the unincorporated 'FEBMA' Federation of European Bearing Manufacturers Association and 'Stop Fake Bearings' sites are under investigation for alleged false & misleading conduct, misrepresentation and incitement to Industry.
* 'WBA' member companies SKF SCHAEFFLER NSK NTN SNR KOYO NACHI (apart from Timken), have prior convictions for Price Fixing now face additional Government investigation http://ec.europa.eu/
* 'FEBMA' having no members and recorded as defunct, with Dr Juergen M. Geissinger CEO Schaeffler as sole respondent is requested to show cause.
* 'Stop Fake Bearings' is referenced by 'WBA' and 'FEBMA' alleged to falsely promote counterfeit advertising to gain marketing advantage; similar scheme to alleged 'price fixing'
These 3 identities are no longer in contact for public information or have address details, but remain as 'fake' references to the bearing industry
1 May 2012
Explanation into Bearing Industry Price Fixing & Deception
We received many emails about the Bearing Industry 'Price Fixing' issue by major manufacturers NSK NTN KOYO NACHI SKF SCHAEFFLER.
To best explain 'Price Fixing' and Why this illegal practice continues within Bearings, the following comments should be observed:
Corporate 'Price Fixing' as described by the Japanese media, is the equivalent to 'Embezzlement' in the public domain. Example, if a private person steals funds from their trusted position and later caught (in some occasions years later), then he or she can expect Jail term, fines and repayment of stolen property.
This illegal practice continues and appears in 2 main areas; 'Undifferentiated Products' and 'Trade Associations'
1. Undifferentiated Products
Part of the problem is that the Bearing Industry is not competing with a unique article, the articles aren't really any better or worse than those of competitors. Bearing salespeople don't have any special product to sell therefore the only way to get a buyer is to sell at a lower price. Therefore these competitors may think the only way to make it, is getting together and Fix Prices
2. Trade Associations
People of the same trade meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in same contrivance to raise prices. The Bearing Industry has a number of old Associations that provide platforms for this type of conspiracy.
Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia USA has a complete review written by Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Paul R. Lawrence:
http://www.marshall.edu/cber/LE691/Sonnenfeld-Lawrence-Why_Do_Companies_Succumb_to_Price_Fixing.pdf18 April 2012
Japan Bearing Manufacturers NSK NTN KOYO Nachi Face Criminal Charges
Japans Fair Trade Commission is preparing to file criminal proceedings against major Japanese bearings makers, claiming they have formed a price cartel.
Legal documents are being filed with the prosecutor general in Tokyo. The antimonopoly watchdog FTC has begun discussions on the planned move with special investigation unit of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, the sources said. Lawyers have commenced interviews with various officials from bearing manufacturers and their Directors.
This would be the FTC's first cartel-busting criminal complaint since 2008, when makers of galvanized steel sheets were targeted. It also will be one of the biggest cases to be handled by the FTC, with the size of the Japanese bearings market estimated at 400 billion yen.
The sources said the targets of the FTC's criminal complaint would be NSK Ltd. of Tokyo, NTN Corp. of Osaka and Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp. of Toyama. JTekt Corp., which has been searched along with its three industry peers, is expected to escape punishment since it has voluntarily reported its wrongdoing to seek leniency. The four firms are suspected of forming agreements on price hikes of about 8 percent for large-lot users and adjusting prices on their price lists for small-lot users worth many millions in US$.
If convicted, and it appears a guilty verdict will be entered by all 4 bearing manufacturers, will result in massive penalties including jail terms to several bearing Directors.
The flow-on effect from these legal Convictions will be global/USA Legal class actions with serious consequences.
6 April 2012
NSK Self Corporate Compliance & Transparency Unacceptable
From our news article 25 November 2011 "Bearing Self Regulation False Recommendation"
Last week Japan's NSK Ltd issued itself a new Compliance Committee 'to ensure that the business activities of the entire company adhere strictly to applicable laws and regulations' - Why ?
Self regulation by NSK & other Japanese bearing companies with previous legal convictions are totally unacceptable in this age. There are numerous examples & precedents where corporations now establishing Compliance, are only buying a coat to disguise the dagger.
History explains that NSK Ltd has 'Price Fixing' convictions in Japan & Europe; New or facing 'Price Fixing' charges in Japan & Europe, Civil charges in USA, 'Price Fixing' against the Auto Industry in USA + multiple venues, allegations of Extortion in Asia and Cartel + Conspiracy activity
The extraordinary direction for this compliance committee is reporting directly to NSK抯 Board of Directors, those directors have no transparency and all under legal investigation in various countries.
3 April 2012
Manufacturers Alleged Extortion Against Bearing Trader - Part 1
The bearingcode has received documents from a Asian bearing trader alleging the practice of extortion by Schaeffler and NSK bearing manufacturing corporations.
As the complaint alleges:
1. The bearing trader legally purchases Schaeffler's FAG & INA new products via FAG Queensway Hong Kong cheaper than the Trader's local region and markets these bearings Legitimately (formerly know as 'Grey marketing').
2. Schaeffler's regional HQ realising this situation, takes a 'new look' action plan against this Trader. Schaeffler hires a Law firm who issues threats of Civil proceedings claiming the Trader is violating Schaefflers intellectual property (IP) by marketing Fake or Counterfeit FAG + INA bearings.
3. Schaeffler's lawyer demands exact disclosure of the Traders supplier + country, import documentation, description of bearings, invoicing and a host of other material exposing the Trader to a most vulnerable position.
4. The Trader to seek immediate relief from threats of a costly 3 year court battle, is forced to play the alleged Extortion game and hand over their FAG+INA new stock to Schaeffler at no-charge and sign a Confidentiality Agreement stating both parties are prohibited to release documents or discuss the case, which is now settled.
5. The Trader suffered loss of bearings worth approx $200,000 to Schaeffler, legal fees, exposure to their source of supply and loss of reputation. Schaeffler gains $200,000 new stock (not Counterfeit or Fake) free of charge whilst thinking no fear from Federal Law authorities
6. There is no Customs Authority investigation, no Federal Police report + no State Police charges and no Criminal court proceedings - Its a legal requirement to report the importation and handling Counterfeit or Fake goods, its a criminal offence. Why was this critical mandatory action not taken by either Schaeffler or their Lawyers ?
This alleged Extortion is another anti competition & unlawful behaviour by Schaeffler. The bearingcode has obtained various documentation enough to satisfy an investigation by Federal Law Authorities, it is also anticipated that the Law firm who acted for Schaeffler is investigated.
NSK corporation has allegedly Extorted in a similar way to Schaeffler, but their mistake to the same bearing Trader.
23 March 2012
Asia Australia Region Mining Boom Continues
As the global doom & gloom subsides, Australia secures long term contracts with China Japan Korea India for various commodities worth a staggering estimate $660 billion over 5 years; while the Australian dollar likely to remain above parity with the greenback (US$) for the next four to five years.
The Asian bearing industry remains strong and considered a major trading hub. Within this region, Australia's bearing demand is small contributing only 1% of the global bearing production although bearings for the mining industry, trains and ship loaders provide a market for the worlds largest bearings.
These large bearings for mining are heavily protected by the major bearing corporations with extensive representation from exhibitions and displays throughout the entire mining areas. Transportation from mining pits for shipping is also a massive exercise with trains as long as 5 kilometres travelling for over 2000kms to port, then huge cranes with slew ring bearings over 9 metres are needed for loading & unloading ships. .
Some decades ago, Australia's economy was based on livestock called "riding on the sheep's back" but now with other developing industries has built up a 'Future fund' of $72 billion & maintaining a global AAA credit rating
Its a lucky country.
10 March 2012
Another EU Fake Bearing Conspiracy in Bulgaria
Since 2006 the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has written many articles on raids, claims and various conspiracy theories about Counterfeit or Fake Bearings.
The bearingcode confirms that every fake bearing report issued by Bearing Manufacturers, none are verified or substantiated by an independent or legal authority.
The bearingcode is always prohibited to visit manufacturers premises to inspect or be given information by SKF or Schaeffler other than a press release issued to global media agencies.
There is no evidence;
*No Police reports
*No Criminal charges for corruption
*No Civil charges for violation of Intellectual Property
*No Alleged identities either Corporation or Persons
*No Address details of claim & raids
*No Magistrates search warrants
*No Court Listing
*No Prosecutors
*No Defense Lawyers
We have concluded that Claims of 'Counterfeit or Fake Bearings' issued by bearing manufacturers or their media associates are False,Fraudulent, Misleading and Mischievous.
- Known advantages of 'Fake Bearing' claims results in FREE global media coverage of 'SKF' 'SCHAEFFLER' and those bearing corporations and distributors willing to participate in this racket.
- The bearing manufacturers who do not participate in this type of corruption have; no free media coverage, no course of redress and the stigma of offensive behavior in Counterfeiting.
The recent claim of Counterfeit bearings and photos from Bulgaria appear the same false & misleading hallmarks. Therefore,unless evidence containing those listed above are produced, then it should be treated as another game by 'SCHAEFFLER'
The European Union Commissioners are currently investigating allegations of anti trust behavior by EU bearing manufacturers, the latest Bulgarian 'fake bearing' claims will not interfere with their proceedings, but may enhance investigations.
Its strange that all big claims of 'Counterfeit Bearing' raids appear in Europe; is this a lack of Transparency and Accountability or the coincidence that major bearing manufacturers HQ are EU based; Why not in USA or elsewhere ?
Perhaps its now time for a management change in bearing Board Rooms, as potential heavy fines and jail terms will cost bearing brands and the general bearing industry to fall from grace.
2 March 2012
European Union Cartel Developments - Listed Industry Updates
The EU Bearing Industry is not alone with raids on suspected Cartel operations, and in line with many other Countries can expect heavy handed penalties and imprisonment to CEO board members. Bearing Manufacturers; joint raids were undertaken with officials from other national competition authorities.
Major Enforcement Efforts
The European Commission imposed significant penalties against individual companies in 2011, consistent with the historically high average fine level.
Raids and Investigations
The European Commission continued to use unannounced inspections, or "dawn raids," as a major investigatory tool in several industries during the second half of 2011
Ball Bearings (November 2011): The European Commission raided companies involved with ball bearings used for automotive and industrial purposes. Interestingly, these were joint raids undertaken with officials from other national competition authorities. The raids followed a similar investigation in July by the Japan Fair Trade Commission
Natural Gas (September 2011): The European Commission raided natural gas companies located in ten different countries, focusing on the upstream supply of natural gas to Central and Eastern European Member States
Financial Derivatives (October 2011): The European Commission raided banks offering financial derivatives linked to the Euro Interbank Offered Rate ("EURIBOR"). These raids followed the announcement of U.S., U.K., and Japanese investigations into a potential breach of the rules governing the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")
Car Components (November 2011): The European Commission requested information from Visteon, a manufacturer of car components, in connection with an ongoing probe into potential illegal agreements. The Commission has already scrutinized other industry participants, including Delphi, Mitsubishi, and Valeo. This likely relates to the ongoing, worldwide investigation into various sectors of the auto parts market.
Airline Code-Share Agreements (December 2011): Finally, in December, the European Commission conducted surprise inspections at the premises of Brussels Airlines and TAP Portugal in Belgium and Portugal. The inspections relate to an investigation opened into the companies' existing code-share agreement for the Brussels-Lisbon route.
Full details:
http://www.gibsondunn.com/publications/Pages/2011YearEndCriminalAntitrustUpdate.aspx
20 February 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Companies Agree to Pay a Total of $548 Million in Criminal Fines–Includes Second Largest Criminal Fine Ever for an Antitrust Violation;
Executives Agree to Serve Prison Time WASHINGTON – Two Japanese suppliers of automotive electrical components–Yazaki Corporation and DENSO Corporation–
have agreed to plead guilty and to pay a total of $548 million in criminal fines for their involvement in multiple price-fixing and
bid-rigging conspiracies in the sale of parts to automobile manufacturers in the United States, the Department of Justice today
announced. Four executives, all Japanese nationals, have also agreed to plead guilty and to serve prison time in the United States. Yazaki has agreed to pay a $470 million criminal fine–the second largest criminal fine obtained for a Sherman Act antitrust violation–
and DENSO has agreed to pay a $78 million criminal fine. The four executives from Yazaki–Tsuneaki Hanamura, Ryoji Kawai,
Shigeru Ogawa and Hisamitsu Takada–will serve prison time ranging from 15 months to two years. The two-year sentences would
be the longest term of imprisonment imposed on a foreign national voluntarily submitting to U.S. jurisdiction for a Sherman Act antitrust violation. The fine amount and prison sentences are subject to court approval. "As a result of the Antitrust Division's ongoing criminal investigation of price fixing and bid rigging in the auto parts industry,
more than $748 million in fines have been obtained–which already surpasses the total amount in criminal fines obtained by the
division for all of last fiscal year," said Sharis A. Pozen, Acting Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department of Justice's
Antitrust Division. "Criminal antitrust enforcement remains a top priority and the Antitrust Division will continue to work with the
FBI and our law enforcement counterparts to root out this kind of pernicious cartel conduct that results in higher prices to
American consumers and businesses." "I would like to commend the employees of the FBI's Detroit Field Office and the Department of Justice Antitrust Division,
for their fine work on this very important antitrust investigation. This team has devoted countless hours to the investigation
and I appreciate their devotion to the mission." The companies involved in this case conspired to the price fixing and bid rigging
DOJ. Auto Cartel Executives Agree to Prison Time
WWW.JUSTICE.GOV TTY (866) 544-5309
YAZAKI CORP., DENSO CORP. AND FOUR YAZAKI EXECUTIVES AGREE TO PLEAD GUILTY
TO AUTOMOBILE PARTS PRICE-FIXING AND BID-RIGGING CONSPIRACIES
For full story click here DOJ_Press_Release_0130201
Now Under Global scrutiny
Companies involved in the global investigations for anticompetitive practices
Furukawa Electric U.S., E.U. Electronic equipment
Delphi U.S., E.U. Electronics
Lear U.S., E.U. Power management
Leoni U.S., E.U. Wiring systems
Sumitomo Electric U.S., E.U. Wire equipment
Magna (Cosma) U.S. Tooling/engineering
TRW U.S., E.U. Occupant safety
Autoliv U.S., E.U. Airbags/seat belts
DuPont E.U. Refrigerant
Honeywell E.U. Refrigerant
Valeo U.S. Thermal
Denso Japan Multiple
Mitsubishi Electric U.S., Japan Multiple
Calsonic Kansei Japan Multiple
Mitsuba Japan Small motors and parts
Hitachi Auto Japan Electrical, electronic systems
T.RAD Japan Heat exchangers
SKF E.U. Ball bearings
Schaeffler E.U. Ball bearings
NSK Jap/E.U. Auto bearings
NTN/SNR Jap/E.U. Auto bearings
JTEKT Jap/E.U. Auto bearings
NACHI Jap/E.U.Auto bearings
18 February 2012
Bearing R&D, University of Marylands USA
From 'Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering' (CALCE) University of Maryland, detail research for the Bearing industry is now available via below links. This R&D may be considered for all bearing manufacturers and engineers interested in either maintenance or OEM. The 'bearingcode' will be adding this to regular updates
Electronic Cooling Fan Bearings Under Study
CALCE researchers are developing new fault detection methods for cooling fans. As a commonly used assembly in computer cooling systems, a cooling fan is critical for guaranteeing system stability and reducing damage to electronic components. Reliability analyses have shown that fan-bearing failure is a major failure mode.
Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on fault detection of cooling fan bearings. In this study, vibration-based fan bearing fault detection through the wavelet transform and the Hilbert transform was examined. An experiment on fan bearings was conducted to collect vibration data for the validation of our proposed method.
The analysis results show that the proposed method can identify different bearing faults. more in link: http://www.prognostics.umd.edu/calcepapers/11-Qiang-Cooling%20Fan%20Bearing%20Fault%20Identification%20Using%20Vibration%20Measurement.pdf
You may also be interested in Estimation of Fan Bearing Degradation Using Acoustic Emission Analysis and Mahalanobis Distance, link: http://www.prognostics.umd.edu/calcepapers/Abstracts/11_Oh%20-%20Estimation%20Of%20Fan%20Bearing%20Degradation%20Using%20Acoustic%20Emission%20Analysis%20And%20Mahalonabis%20Distance.html and Physics-of-Failure Approach for Fan PHM in Electronics Applications, link: http://www.calce.umd.edu/articles/abstracts/2010/PoF_Fan_PHM_Electronics_Applications_abstract.html
To learn more, contact Dr. Michael Azarian http://www.calce.umd.edu/general/faculty/bios/azarian.html or info@bearingcode.com
12 February 2012
SKF Year-end report 2011 Accounting Acknowledgement
As issued: SKF Press release 26 January 2012
http://investors.skf.com/files/press/skf/201201262077-2.pdf
Investigation by the European Commission
In November 2011, SKF and other companies in the bearing industry became part of an investigation by the European Commission regarding a possible violation of EU antitrust rules. Given the nature of these investigations, the outcome may affect the Group's results and cash flow with an amount that may be material. It is however too early to assess whether and when such effect may occur and hence can be accounted for.
Tom Johnstone, President and CEO
The SKF Group
7 February 2012
Bearingcode to University of Marylands USA, Symposium June 2012
The bearingcode has been invited to submit an abstract on false bearing claims and evidence to counterfeit product impacting on the Bearing Industry held at College Park, University of Marylands June 26-28, 2012
Details are now available for this 3 days symposium on: http://www.calce.umd.edu/symposiums/SCEPJune2012/.
The President Ian McPherson, will detail reports relating to misleading counterfeit parts resulting in windfalls to bearing manufacturers and marketers at the expense of consumers and safety.
Further details and registration available at:
Joan Lee, CALCE, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Phone:(301) 405-1905, joanyuan@umd.edu, http://www.calce.umd.edu
Coordinator:
Dr. Diganta Das
Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) Rm 1103,
Engineering Laboratory Building University of Maryland College Park,
MD 20742 (301) 405 7770 (301) 314 9269 and (775) 218 5209 (Fax)
http://www.calce.umd.edu diganta@umd.edu
29 January 2012
SAE Bearing Conference for Airframe Control Bearing Groups, Texas USA
Information is now available for the next meeting/s of the (1) ACBG Airframe Control Bearings Group Committee
(2) ACBG Plain Bearing Committee (3) ACBG Rolling Element Bearing Committee
These meetings will be held in San Antonio, TX, United States on April 17 - 19, 2012.
You may access the meeting information, location, accommodation and registration at:
http://www.sae.org/servlets/works/committeeHome.do?comtID=TEAACBG
These meetings are informative and documented for all Industries. Global bearing companies, manufacturers and dealers are welcome to register & attend.
If you have any questions please contact your SAE Staff Representative:
Maureen Lemankiewicz lemankm@sae.org StandardsWorks@sae.orgor
Ian McPherson bearingcode.com ian@bearingcode.com
24 January 2012
As Global Manufacturers' Investigated, Little Monkeys Play
Whilst the bearingcode reports on global bearing manufacturers' allegations for corruption; private companies in Austria and Singapore are taking advantage by promoting their 'monkey business' with fraudulent re-branding and packaging.
Singapore having a reputation as "squeaky clean" is host to FBJ branded bearings for global distribution, owned and controlled by International Bearings Ltd Singapore, Made in China with Japanese markings as Country of Origin. This Japanese origin deception in lieu of China, gains FBJ brand Singapore valuable revenue and far greater profit.
The Act of Deception states: "to Deceive or could Deceive is unlawful both for Consumer and Safety protection"
Austria in central Europe having a high degree of engineering excellence, is host to NKE branded bearings. This NKE company imports complete bearings from India & China then re-boxed and labeled "Austria Steyr", obviously marketed as NKE Made in Austria fetching a greater selling price and profiteering without any reference to China & India.
"Monkey Business" examples are gaining momentum and does little to enhance the Bearing Industry image and little to obtain genuine price reform.
12 January 2012
First European Conference of PHM for energy, aerospace, transportation, automotive & industrial automation
The First European Conference of the Prognostics and Health Management Society on July 3-5, 2012 will bring together the European community of PHM experts from industry, academia, and government in diverse application areas such as energy, aerospace, transportation, automotive, and industrial automation.
Organized jointly with the 6th European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring the SAE International is a Technical Co-sponsor for this event http://www.sae.org, to be held at:
MARITIM Hotel & International Congress Center Dresden
Ostra-Ufer 2 / Devrientstr. 10 - 12
01067 Dresden, Germany
We are excited to announce this First European Conference of the Prognostics and Health Management Society 2012 in Dresden, Germany. We look forward to seeing everyone in Dresden July 3-5, 2012.
Please note that all articles published by the PHM Society are available to the global PHM community via the internet for free and without any restrictions. Selected papers will be invited for publication on the International Journal of Prognostics and Health Management, an open access online journal for the global PHM community.
Key Dates (TENTATIVE)
Paper Submission Opens: November 25, 2011
Paper Submissions Due: March 16, 2012
Registration Opens: February 1, 2012
Paper Review Feedback: April 30, 2012
Final Papers Due: June 1, 2012
http://www.phmsociety.org/events/conference/phm/europe/12/agenda
PHM Conference Europe 2012
www.bearingcode.com
8 January 2012
UK MOD IVHM CONFERENCE
| The UK Defense Academy is holding a Vehicle Health
and Prognostic Health Management Symposium from the
22nd to 23rd February 2012. The conference, at
Shrivenham near Swindon and Oxford, is well situated
for access to and from London airports. While the Symposium has an understandable military flavor, the program reflects both military and industry interests. Notable speakers from the USA and Australia include Professor Peter Sandborn from the CALCE PHM Center (addressing cost and availability impacts of the incorporation of prognostics and health management into systems) and Dr Eric Lee from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) in Melbourne Australia (reviewing developments of HUMS and prognostics in Australian military systems). |  http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/cds/symposia/vhpm.html |
PHM
For further information please contact.
Lynn Cade.
Symposia Organiser
MH22, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8LA.
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
T: +44 (0)1793 785773
E: l.cade@cranfield.ac.uk
F: +44 (0)1793 785325
23 December 2011
2012 Year of Bearing Accountability
With many calls for reform, the Bearing Industry has recently come under Government scrutiny in Japan, Europe, USA and Australia demanding full discloser particularly for Price fixing, False & Misleading Declarations, Fake reporting, Deception and Cartel operations.
Global bearing manufacturers openly declared their desire to flout Cartel Laws by reinventing SKF's CEO Tom Johnstone & Schaeffler's Jürgen M. Geißinger 2003 World Bearing Association (WBA) formed to disguise their Price Fixing conviction in France. This deception 'sucked' other manufacturers to join the WBA club by promising to stave off marketing threats from outsiders especially from China, India & Russia.
In 2011 many Fake claims of Counterfeit bearings where setup to assist the WBA team, and Governments, outside Corporations & Institutions where fooled by this propaganda gaining huge advertising press coverage paid by WBA shareholders. Further, a UK bearing distributor also participated by releasing Fake claims that produced hysteria amongst the trade and found its way to America news ABMA internet site.
Other serious accusations of Price Fixing and other corrupt activity by WBA members surfaced in 2011 with government raids and intervention.
All these allegations have come 'Under the Radar' both for accountability and regulation with WBA members facing penalties including jail for participating bearing executives. It is hoped this illusion of grandeur behavior will be curtailed, maybe with some sound stock exchange reconciliation during 2012.
19 December 2011
Problems Relating to Russian Bearing Manufacturers
A detailed report released by the Russian Ministry of Industry & Trade for a "Concept for Bearing Manufacturers of the Russian Federation in 2020" November 2011 designed to assist manufacturers in the market place, was tabled at a meeting attended by representatives from 'The Bearing Manufacturers Association of Russia' and various Russian Bearing Plants.
Various scenarios were considered including details of key bearing industry issues requiring urgent attention.
According to the consulting agency hired by the Ministry of Industry & Trade, the main problems of Russian bearing businesses:-
* Narrowing of the client portfolio of domestic producers as a result of reductions in output or changes in the needs of customers.
* National manufacturers of bearings not included in the global world technological chain of production for final product.
* Behind technical level of products and production, low productivity due to obsolescence of equipment and technologies used.
* Lack of investment resources in the bearing industry;
* The amount of R & D performed in the order behind the world leaders.
To resolve these issues, a significant cash and new technologies are required. This can be achieved under three prescribed strategies
1) State Capitalism - the establishment of the state bearing the holding-based military-industrial complex;
2) Investment partnerships - public-private partnership that allows you to upgrade and integrate into the production, including global OEM and OES-companies.
3) Development of inertia - the market will remain 2.1 private companies that will absorb all the plants, but will focus only on shrinking domestic markets.
The most rational scenario assembled recognized the "Investment Partnership". Using funds from the state, received on a competitive basis, as well as foreign investment enterprises to step up its investment and science and technology policy in the renewal of fixed assets, accelerate scientific and technological activities and consolidation of sub-sectors in order to achieve a comparable level with the major players in the global the market. In this case, one option may be to create a 2.3 major manufacturers of bearings, which now join the existing domestic production.
But, as acknowledged by the participants discuss, "The concept of bearing industry" needs to change, because, while designed document is more like a "fairy tale" and contains some errors. It was decided: all manufacturers of ball bearings in the shortest possible time to send in their Industry and Trade Ministry of strategy and changes to work out a unified position.
Representatives of Industry and Trade paid special attention to maintaining and increasing jobs, while increasing productivity. According to the plans that have repeatedly voiced at the Prime Minister and President of the Russian Federation in the near future in the country in all industries to be created 25 million high-tech jobs. However, given the fact that in the highly competitive and technological enterprises increased the number of workers, which are now on bearing plants, may be redundant and detailed consideration on this matter was postponed for the future.
9 December 2011
SCHAEFFLER Group Included in EU Corruption Raids
The Bearingcode has received emails regarding our news article 11 + 25 November 2011, claiming bias against SKF by not mentioning the Schaeffler Group involvement into the latest EU investigation for alleged corruption.
To ensure transparency and to Shareholders of both Corporations, we have decided to print below extract from "BLOOMBERG"
SKF AB and Schaeffler Group were raided by European Union regulators investigating possible price-fixing by ball-bearings manufacturers. The European Commission said it made unannounced inspections at the premises of companies that produce bearings for automotive and industrial use over concerns that they may have violated antitrust rules.
SKF, the world's largest ball-bearings maker, said in a statement that EU officials visited its facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Schweinfurt, Germany. Schaeffler Group was also inspected, company spokesman Marcus Brans said in a phone interview. Both companies are cooperating with regulators.
Japan's antitrust agency is probing price-fixing among ball-bearings manufacturers, companies including Jtekt Corp. and Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.. EU regulators can fine companies as much as 10 percent of yearly sales for joining a cartel to set prices.
SKF fell as much as 4.5 percent, the most in a week, and were down 3.8 percent to 137.40 kronor at 4:52 p.m. in Stockholm.
Jtekt-Koyo and Nachi-Fujikoshi didn't immediately respond to e- mails seeking comment.
To contact the reporter on this story: Aoife White in Brussels at awhite62@bloomberg.net. To contact the reporter on this story: Kim McLaughlin in Stockholm at kmclaughlin6@bloomberg.net
25 November 2011
Bearing Self Regulation False Recommendation
Corporate marketing and praises of self image is a little like "if its too good then its possibly so" or should that read "if its too good its more likely not"
For corporations stating Self Regulation to control external forces is alarmingly false only raising more doubt, however when a throw-away line of Self Regulation after Corporate conviction, carries an ever lasting cloud of mistrust.
Visy-Board of AustralAsia convicted of 'Price Fixing' 2007 is now facing massive backlashes from those who only trade with good corporate behaviour combining best practices.
For SKF to claim Self Regulation containing "strict code of conduct which prohibits anti-competitive behaviors" is a general slap in the face, not only in legal terms but with credibility issues from previous 'Price fixing' convictions while currently facing further allegations of corruption.
Its worth noting that 6 of the 7 global bearing manufacturers are currently under investigation by 3 separate Government departments in Europe and Japan with USA to decide what legal proceedings, if any should occur.
Penalties for global 'anti-competitive behaviour' have been recently upgraded and covers many new areas including incarceration for company directors, a deterrent in itself one would think. This message has not been heeded by Bearing executives with high egos' and greed, who fund many Wall Street legal attorneys while hiding behind their robes.
An independent regulator, industry controlled, is the only reliable recommendation
11 November 2011
SKF Inc. Under EU Investigation For Alleged Corruption
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct confirms SKF Inc. is now under investigation by the European Commission for alleged Anti-Competition behaviour. http://www.skf.com/portal/skf/home/news?contentId=898342
Although the bearingcode is no longer permitted to make further comment, we draw your attention to our Internet site www.bearingcode.com link 'Corporate Governance'
10 November 2011
EU Competition Law Investigates Bearing Manufacturers
The bearingcode acknowledges the current investigation by European Commission for Competition Law into the affairs of global Japanese bearing manufacturers 'NTN' and 'NSK' Corporations.
This could be an ongoing audit into alleged anti competition 'cartel' within bearing industry first launched July 2011 by Japans Office of Fair Trading.
The bearingcode advises other global bearing manufacturers will be subjected to similar audits by EU Commissioners.
8 November 2011
Bearingcode Reports to A.T. Kearney Global Corp
At the request of global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney USA, the Bearingcode submitted another Industry report on various matters including 'bearing corporate responsibility' 'statistics' and 'monopolies'
This latest reporting request makes Bearingcode accepted as responsible for international industry accreditation.
**A.T. Kearney is a global management consulting firm, focusing on strategic and operational CEO-agenda concerns. Founded in 1926, its head office in Chicago, Illinois USA now present with 56 Offices in 38 Countries. The firm is regularly ranked among the top 15 in Consulting Magazine's annual ranking of the "Best Firms to Work For."
A.T. Kearney's industry specialties include automotive, communications, consumer and retail, financial institutions, government, high technology, electronics, pharmaceuticals, health care, energy and Utilities. Major competency teams include supply chain management, growth strategies, mergers, innovation and complexity, IT strategies, transformation, procurement and sustainability**
3 November 2011
Bearingcode Reports to Religare Capital Markets
At the request of emerging markets financial services group 'Religare' www.religare.in the bearingcode submitted a concise report on the Bearing Industry's condition as viewed today.
Bearingcode members can obtain a copy info@bearingcode.com
**Religare Capital Markets Limited (RCML) is part of Religare Enterprises Limited (REL) – www.religare.in an emerging markets financial services group. REL is committed to create in RCML a global emerging markets focused Investment banking and Institutional Securities business. RCML is continually adding to its suite of products and strengthening its team. The division's principal business activities comprise institutional broking including research, sales and execution services in emerging market equities, and investment banking which include equity capital markets and M&A advisory services, to corporate and institutional clients worldwide**19 October 2011
Bearing Corporations Buying & Selling Businesses
The Bearingcode has been contacted by Bearing Companies looking for Buyers and/or Sellers.
If you are in this market both global or domestic, please contact us info@bearingcode.com or phone +61 419 568453
We are viewed by over 100 countries, to evaluate, provide legal advice, make 'Due Diligence' or just recommend on a Confidential basis.
15 October 2011
Changing Bearing Marketing the Sign of Times
As with travel agents, the super department store, perhaps buying a mechanical hammer, car or electronic goods, people are changing in droves to purchase over the Net and many stores with their manufacturers face challenging demands to keep pace with new consumer requirements.
Recently, fashion department stores decided to charge $5 to customers for trying on garments, then walking out to buy over the Net - Sounds familiar ?
The Bearing Industry is no different. The infamous 2005 legal proceedings by SKF Inc challenged many bearing distributors over the so-called "gray marketing" failed, leaving behind very bitter memories with multi $million legal fees. In other words, the USA Appeals Court deemed that buying bearings off-shore/cross bordering is a legitimate form of free purchasing. For law courts to order otherwise would have been against every principle what the internet is now providing.
The bearingcode has received emails from both bearing Manufacturer & Distributor about X-border trading for stock purchases coming from another country. This is a legal form of entrepreneurial business whether by the internet or from established connections halfway around the world - its a fact of life, just keeping up with the times as used by global industry consumers.
This is not directed against the bearing Manufacturer or its Distributor, but complaints labeling off-shore "gray market Counterfeits" is just old fashioned, failed scare tactics. Therefore, its strongly suggested that bearing manufacturers look to other industries combining new marketing concepts eg. internet purchasing with direct forms of interactions to distributors and clients. Yes, the bearing industry can change and keep pace with the sign of times, to do nothing will face further disruption with stale old marketing methods.
9 October 2011
Volunteer for SAE Standards Development Process
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27 September 2011
Bearing Cartel on Verge of Extinction
The 7 Member so-called World Bearing Association (WBA) is reportedly on the verge of extinction with 6 members convicted of known Corporate crime and the remaining member not responding to any form of communication.
The 6 members are SKF SCHAEFFLER NSK NTN NACHI KOYO with TIMKEN making up the secret seven.
The WBA is not registered, not incorporated, has no Articles of Association, has no record of any Meetings and does not file documents to any Government department globally. It no longer has a President, no Contact information, no Place of identification or Postal address and no Transparency or Responsibility.
So much for 'Price Fixing' and 'Fake Counterfeit Claims' - not even a door to say 'Welcome'
We maybe witnessing the breakup of a World Cartel of Bearing manufacturers and distribution. Perhaps now there's some hope for decent worldwide Competition without secret deals done behind close board rooms or aircraft lounge seats.
14 September 2011
Russian + CIS Countries Take Issue on 4 Japanese Bearing Brands
Please Note:- 'Google' for Russian to English translation
Японская "подшипниковая четверка" подозревается в картельном сговоре
Дата публикации: 9/09/2011
Комиссия по Справедливой Торговле (Japan Fair Trade Commission, JFTC) сообщила о проведенных 26 июля обысках в штаб-квартирах 4 крупнейших японских производителей подшипников NTN, NSK, JTEKT, NACHI подозреваемых в картельном сговоре. Обыски также прошли еще в 20 местах, включая главные офисы продаж и дома руководителей. Компании подозреваются в несправедливой торговле подшипниками для колес автомобилей и рулевого управления нарушившей антимонопольное законодательство. Эти обыски японского антимонопольного ведомства стали первыми за последние 3,5 года с момента начала расследования ценового сговора связанного с производителями и дистрибьюторами тонколистовой стали.
Подшипниковый рынок Японии, согласно промышленным источникам, оценивается в 400 млрд. иен (около $5 млрд.) в год. NTN, NSK, JTEKT, NACHI занимают почти 90% этого рынка. По данным следствия, фирмы договорились друг с другом о резком повышении и фиксации цен в двух направлениях:
- для основных промышленных потребителей из автомобилестроения и машиностроения; - для ритейлеров, через оптовые торговые компании.
Эти действия, как считают в Комиссии по Справедливой Торговле, противоречат законодательству страны и оказывают влияния на повседневную жизнь граждан, вынужденных приобретать конечный продукт по более высокой цене. Антимонопольное ведомство планирует возбудить уголовное дело и передать его в полицию. В тоже время представители "подшипниковой четверки" изъявили желание сотрудничать со следствием и подтвердили факт проведения обысков.
Источники близкие к расследованию сообщают, что картель был сформирован не позднее 2004 г. Рост цен и сроки их введения согласовывались на ежегодных встречах между руководителями и другими высокопоставленными сотрудниками компаний. После принятия решений на уровне исполнительных директоров цены на продукцию повышались офисами продаж по всей Японии.
Первоначальное взвинчивание цен происходило на фоне строительного бума в Китае готовящегося к Пекинской Олимпиаде и подорожания конструкционных материалов, таких как нержавеющая и подшипниковая сталь. Однако, даже после того, как цены на металл погрузились на дно в связи с началом экономического кризиса 2008-2009 гг., подшипниковые компании не провели понижающую индексацию цен на свою продукцию. При этом, как отмечают промышленные источники, отпускные цены для оптовых торговых компаний были примерно на одном уровне, что противоречит принципам свободной торговли.
Нынешний картельный сговор крупнейших японских подшипниковых корпораций не первый в истории страны восходящего солнца. В 1973 г. антимонопольное ведомство раскрыло ценовой сговор тех же самых компаний. Руководители NSK, Koyo Seiko Co. (в настоящее время JTEKT), Nachi-Fujikoshi и NTN Toyo Bearing Co. (ныне NTN) сформировали картель и решили на секретных встречах поднять цены для крупных потребителей более чем на 7 процентов, а для торговых компаний - на 15 процентов, тем самым нарушив антимонопольное законодательство.
Некоторые эксперты считают, что проблемы у JTEKT, NACHI, NSK, NTN могут начаться и в других странах мира
Несмотря на то, что дело о фиксировании цен японской "подшипниковой четверки" касается только территории Японии, однако оно может стать прецедентом, который усложнит жизнь этих компаний и в других странах мира. Об этом в интервью рассказал президент некоммерческой организации Bearingcode Иан МакФерсон.
- Почему NSK, NTN, JTEKT и NACHI пошли на сговор? Почему их не останавливают штрафы и судебные дела?
- Потому что не существует системы регулирования подшипниковой отрасли на международном уровне. Bearingcode уже 6 лет создает такую систему, но крупные производители подшипников отвергли все разумные предложения по регулированию и контролю. Подшипниковая отрасль в целом непрозрачна, а законодательства многих стран не всегда совершенно, что позволяет компаниям маневрировать с большой прибылью для себя. Но сегодня японские производители попали в плохую ситуацию, которая может привести к серьезным проблемам.
- Если JFTC удастся доказать виновность японских корпораций, могут ли компании или правительства из других стран также подать иски против NSK, NTN, JTEKT и NACHI?
- Если японской антимонопольной организации удастся в суде доказать картельный сговор, то это будет прецедентом для аналогичных дел во многих других странах. Директора NSK, NTN, JTEKT, NACHI могут оказаться за решеткой на срок до 12 лет.
- 12 лет? По японскому законодательству?
- Нет, по американскому. Подобное наказание существует и в других странах мира, например в ЕС, Сингапуре и Австралии. Там у этих японских корпораций есть заводы, офисы продаж и клиенты, и где они также, вероятно, продавали свою продукцию по фиксированным и завышенным ценам. Любая компания, отраслевая ассоциация или правительство может инициировать расследование, а потом и судебное дело.
- Будет ли Bearingcode участвовать в судебных разбирательствах?
- Да, Bearingcode должен участвовать в таких судах. Наша позиция будет зависеть только от того, будут ли японские компании сотрудничать с нами или нет. Если они пойдут на сотрудничество и покаятся, то Bearingcode встанет на их сторону. Если нет, то мы выступим на стороне обвинения, чтобы добиться максимального наказания.
Краткая справка
Комиссия по Справедливой Торговле (Japan Fair Trade Commission, JFTC) – комиссия при японском правительстве ответственная за соблюдение антимонопольного законодательства. Последнее крупное дело, связанное с картельным сговором - картельное соглашение производителей газов получаемых из воздуха. Участники картеля были приговорены к штрафам в суммарном размере свыше 14 млрд. иен ($22,5 млн.).
Согласно японскому законодательству компании-участники картельного сговора могут быть наказаны штрафами, а руководители - приговорены к 5 годам лишения свободы с принудительным трудом или штрафу в размере до 5 млн. иен ($62 тыс.).
6 September 2011
Bearing Manufacturers & Executives Face Legal Backlash
SKF CEO Mr Tom Johnstone's known comments that the "bearing industry does Not require any regulations and/or No global controls" appear to be treading shallow ground with forthcoming legal action that could involve lengthy imprisonment for cohort executive partners.
The Bearingcode has consistently criticised the values & motives by some bearing executives towards convictions and allegations involving illegal practices, these criticisms have obviously gone unnoticed or have been 'flushed' down the system with arrogance.
The latest allegation of Price Fixing by Japan's Fair Trade Commission 26 July 2011, searching offices and executive homes of four top Japanese bearing manufacturers NSK NTN KOYO NACHI for suspected price cartel transactions, if a conviction is recorded then SKF will need to justify its current policy towards similar corruption or face Civil legal proceedings.
Please Take Notice: Court sentencing for a third conviction involving cartels can attract the following Orders:-
1. Conviction Registration Globally
2. Heavy Penalties up to 10% of Bearing Corporations income
3. Imprisonment of Bearing Executives up to 12 Years each
4. Civil Legal proceedings by Auto Industry & others, global claims in $Billions
5. Class Legal action from worldwide Consumer groups, global claims as above
6. Cancellation of Bearing Executive passports and visa indefinitely
7. Company De registration
8. Other such Orders as prescribed by the Honourable Court
The bearingcode can provide to the Courts an affidavit stating "The accused bearing corporations have since shown 'Remorse' by becoming a member of a known Industry group, will actively take part in future global controls and regulation and to prevent this action from happening again." This could reduce the amount of Penalties, Fines, Jail terms, Civil and Class legal actions and the Prosecution's power in general.
3 September 2011SAE USA Bearing Conference - Location & Registration
SAE ACBG Airframe Control Bearing Committees September 20 - 22, 2011 Fort Worth TEXAS USA
New Members & Bearing companies welcome
Meeting Location:
Bell Helicopter Training Academy
13901 Aviator Way
Fort Worth, TX 76177
Suggested Hotel:
Hampton Inn & Suites Alliance
13600 North Freeway
Fort Worth, TX 76177
Telephone: 817/439-0400
Fax: 817/439-1158
Hotel is located just 5 (five) minutes from the meeting site.
Registration Information:
This meeting is being hosted by Bell Helicopter so there is no fee to attend, however it is necessary for you to pre-register for this meeting. The registration information significantly helps us in preparations for the meetings. A name badge will be available at the SAE Registration Desk at the hotel only if you pre-register.
Please complete the registration form on the previous screen. For all questions concerning registration or to register over the phone, please contact SAE Customer Service at 1-877-606-7323 (1-724-776-4970 outside the U.S. and Canada) or email: customerservice@sae.org.
Meeting Schedule/Agendas:
A detailed meeting schedule and agenda will be posted when available. The bearingcode.com is anticipated to attend for Presentations of latest compliance requirement and legal updates from Japan & EU bearing manufacturers.
SAE Intellectual Property Policy
SAE's intellectual property is its most valuable asset. As such, the Society expends considerable resources maintaining and protecting its rights to its intellectual property.
SAE reserves the right to copyright any of its print products, electronic products, databases, audio/visual products and any other subject matter. This is intended to protect SAE and its members from unauthorized copying and distribution of SAE intellectual property. SAE's intellectual property may only be used in a manner that furthers the organization's purposes.
It is also SAE policy that the copyrights and other intellectual property rights of third parties be respected and not infringed upon by SAE or any of its committees, or any employee, member or other person acting on behalf of SAE.
As a participant in SAE Technical Committees, individuals agree that the collective work of the committee(s) is the property of SAE, and SAE is charged with its publication, dissemination, and protection.
Please forward this meeting notice to anyone who may be interested in participating in this meeting or learning more about the activities of this committee.
If you have any questions, please contact Maureen Lemankiewicz, Aerospace Standards Specialist, at 724-772-7147 or lemankm@sae.org.
Another Price Fixing Japanese Bearing Allegation
From the recent European price fixing conviction against bearing manufacturers SKF, Schaeffler, SNR, NSK and KOYO, follows another Cartel allegation last July 2011 against four major Japanese bearing manufacturers by the Japanese government Fair Trade Commission "JFTC"
The Fair Trade Commission (公正取引委員会 Kōsei Torihiki Iinkai?, "JFTC") www.jftc.go.jp/en is a commission in the Japanese government responsible for enforcing the Antimonopoly Act. The commission is commonly known as Kōtori (公取) or Kōtorii (公取委).
The "JFTC" intend to file criminal charges against Japanese bearing manufacturers NSK, NTN, Nachi & Koyo alleging unfair restrained trade for bearings used in vehicle axles and steering wheels, a violation of the Antimonopoly Law. The "JFTC" further states "price-fixing unfairly impacts on people's daily life by keeping prices high".
According to statements, these four bearing manufacturers are suspected of price-hike increases and the timing of such prices to take place, in two sales routes: one for major industrial consumers such as major automakers and machinery manufacturers that are sold directly, and the other for retailers to be sold via wholesalers.
These alleged price increases and their timing were decided at meetings among executives and other high-ranking officials. Price increases were also decided along with hikes in base material prices, such as stainless steel and bearing steel. However, even after prices of these materials plunged after the 2008 "Lehman shock," these bearing manufacturers kept their prices at inflated levels.
A Spokesperson on behave of the accused companies said these companies will cooperate with the "JFTC", acknowledging they were being investigated by the monopoly watchdog. In 1973, the four companies were given legal convictions with penalties by the "JFTC" for forming a similar price cartel.
The "JFTC" now suspects the companies negotiated every year on prices, how much the prices should be increased and on the range of price hikes for large-lot consumers such as major automakers. "JFTC" states these company executives in charge of sales held secret meetings acting against the Consumer for unjustified prices increases up to 25%.
The "JFTC" alleges NSK, NTN, Nachi & Koyo apparently could not resist the temptation of forming a price cartel. And If a conviction is registered by the Courts against these bearing manufacturers, it will become the 3rd such legal conviction or a "3 Time Loser" that carries International prohibition for both company and executive.
25 August 2011Global Mining & Steel Giant Announces Huge Profit
BHP LTD yesterday announced a stunning increase in Net Profit of US$24 Billion, up 86% from 2010 a record for any Australian registered Corporation.
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with a major management office in London, United Kingdom
Although recognised as world leader, BHP does little by way of bearing steel. A Melbourne representative stated BHP steel production has a high nickel content too strong for the manufacturer of bearings.
Footnote: BHP congrats Cadel Evans, the first Australian winner of the 2011 Tour de France !
15 August 2011Bearing Power With Unchecked Maintenance
Public scrutiny of political and corporate power is essential against risk, but often 'whistleblowers' are the real victims from upholding Laws aimed against corruption.
Recent investigations into a MD80 aircraft accident owned & operated by Air Alaska, revealed a 'Jack Bolt' nut snapped in the main tail sending the aircraft to an horrific incipient dive down a watery grave with no survivors. The airlines operating maintenance Engineer via a 'Whistleblower' service, gave critical technical info into the lack of servicing verses the profit-taking in preventative maintenance time to the 'Jack Bolt'.
This Engineer 'Whistleblower' can never obtain employment again with this airline for providing this technical procedure or lack thereof, although considered an unsung hero by family members of those deceased.
Some call this the life and death of Democracy and look forward to whatever comes next !
Corporate executives including some Bearing industry members lose touch with reality, and self regulation by those who dare to flaunt is no longer acceptable under any circumstance, in particular to those involved with fixing prices, falsifying counterfeit claims or corrupt maintenance.
Unchecked power leads to foolish decisions and in many cases, irreversible.
3 August 2011SAE Seminars in Europe
SAE International's Professional Development department offers a regular schedule of short courses on topics and technologies that are relevant to European industry. As with all SAE seminars, instructors are practicing engineers, retired engineers, or university faculty who come to the classroom with content expertise, industry experience, and on-the-job know how.
For the convenience of its European members and customers, SAE provides the capability to browse course descriptions, complete course registration, and process payments (in European currency) through its European operations.
For more information on the Professional Development seminars listed below, contact the SAE Europe office, E-mail EuropeTraining@sae.org, Phone +32 (0)2 740.2223 or www.bearingcode.com info@bearingcode.com
29 July 2011Bearing Questions Less Trouble
Many skeptics of 'bearingcode.com' particularly by some management of bearing corporations, have avoided public scrutiny for many years and will ridicule those who dare question.
When razing certain issues into behavioral matters such as: 'Price Fixing' 'False Counterfeiting' 'Bribery' 'Fraud' 'Legal Convictions' etc, some senior bearing managers become coy, turning their anguish against honest & legitimate questions. A simple answer of NO would satisfy nearly all investigations, but to endure mood swings leading to public sanctions against regulators including Japans regulating authority, is sound guilt in itself.
These latest public allegations of 'Price Fixing' and 'False Counterfeiting' claims against some global bearing manufacturers are demeaning in statue and hypocrisy in trust.
This is NOT an issue against Quality or Brand or Employees or Stakeholders, its a simple matter of anti trust laws coming into play and urge for your understanding to this difference.
The 'bearingcode' should be viewed by Industry leaders as their own forum that provides assistance in many compliance areas, and welcomes new members for active participation and new Stakeholders for policy direction. We seek change to old cronyism management excutive ways
18 July 2011Hackers to Bearingcode Update - Investigation Ongoing
From our last month's hacker catastrophy to website www.bearingcode.com we are glad to report most of the vandalised data has been restored or rewritten. This data will be rechecked and gradually loaded with new links including minor alterations to settings on pages that may change from time to time.
Approx 85% of all data to our site was deliberately destroyed; hackers systematically targeted material, quick and accurate in detail then departed with little trace. This cyber crime is currently under Federal Investigation and coincides with many cyber attacks now appearing, especially in United Kingdom.
13 July 2011Corporate Governance Verses SKF Inc. and Others
The below article now appearing in our 'Corporate Governance' link is verified by Law as global Legal Precedent, your attention is drawn to the sentence relating to the Bearing Industry.
Corporate Governance Definition:-
Corporate governance is a term that refers broadly to the rules, processes, or laws by which businesses are operated, regulated, and controlled. The term can refer to internal factors defined by the officers, stockholders or constitution of a corporation, as well as to external forces such as consumer groups, clients, and government regulations.
A well-defined and enforced corporate governance:-
Provides a structure that, at least in theory, works for the benefit of everyone concerned by ensuring that the enterprise adheres to accepted ethical standards and best practices as well as to formal laws. To that end, organizations have been formed at the regional, national, and global levels.
In recent years, corporate governance has received increased attention because of high-profile scandals involving abuse of corporate power and, in some cases, alleged criminal activity by corporate officers. An integral part of an effective corporate governance regime includes provisions for civil or criminal prosecution of individuals who conduct unethical or illegal acts in the name of the enterprise.
Precedent:-
The importance to Corporate governance is documented from the 'Price Fixing' legal Conviction against SKF Industries Inc. with Schaeffler, SNR, NSK, KOYO amounting fines of 19 million Euros, the 2nd largest penalty against a European Cartel.
Currently, SKF Inc. is leading the Bearing Industry to further legal Prosecution with allegations for 'Counterfeiting' manipulation in Germany, Czech Republic and United Kingdom including cover-ups in USA from 'Stop Fake Bearings'.
Corporate fraud can be disguised by 'Honorary Doctorates' awards from Institutions to company excutives. Example; Cranfield University UK prestiges award to Mr Tom Johnstone CEO SKF Industries Inc for services to Industry, creating the impression of good Corporate responsibility.
For more click on BearingCode's link 'Corporate Governance'
11 July 2011New Development in eMotor Bearings
Protecting e-motor bearings against shaft voltage 
EDM pitting of a bearing race wall (magnified) is shown, the result of inverter-induced electrical discharges from the motor shaft.
The greater the reliance on electric motors for automotive propulsion, the greater the potential for electrical bearing damage. At the heart of every battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid is an alternating-current (ac), three-phase traction motor/generator. Since batteries provide direct current (dc), inverters (also known as variable frequency drives or VFDs) are needed to convert the dc to ac.
These inverters have an unfortunate side effect: they induce unwanted voltages on motor shafts. Without effective, long-term grounding, this shaft voltage will erode and eventually destroy motor bearings.
Because electrical bearing damage is a lurking problem in electrified vehicles, automotive design engineers face a new set of challenges. Inverter-induced shaft voltages jump to the path of least resistance wherever it leads, so partial mitigation measures such as insulated motor bearings can just shift the damage to other components such as gearbox bearings, transmission gears, or wheel bearings. Even the bearings of a hybrid’s gasoline engine are vulnerable to such damage when the vehicle is operating in electric mode.
To solve the problem of electrical bearing damage, automotive engineers need only look to other industries experienced in the use of ac motors. For years, design and maintenance engineers and contractors in manufacturing, processing, HVAC, and materials handling have turned to inverters as a way of controlling the speed of ac motors and thereby reducing their energy costs. They found that, without an effective method of channeling inverter-induced shaft voltages safely to ground, any savings due to reduced energy consumption could quickly be wiped out by the high maintenance costs of replacing damaged motor bearings.
In short, an effective, long-term method of grounding motor shafts is needed to make inverter-driven systems reliable. A shaft-grounding device can divert harmful currents before they can cause bearing damage. Applied to the traction motor in a BEV or hybrid, such a device should prevent bearing damage and thus contribute to overall vehicle reliability.
26 June 2011Global Money Relocation, Bearing Marketing Shift
The Global economy has dramatically shifted East into Asian countries having approx 60% of the total wealth. China being the dominating force with surrounding nations benefiting the most, although Japan with the worlds largest debt and the effect from recent natural disasters, is still able to borrow to provide its neighbors
Singapore per head of population has the greatest number of millionaires whilst previous poverty stricken countries eg. Indonesia, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia have investments pouring in with government cooperation.
India with a huge thirst for energy and able to pay, has geared their trading partners to the east with its defence spending closely to Russia.
Russia now boosts having the worlds most Billionaires, a staggering 43 people according to Forbes.
Although major EU & USA Bearing manufacturers are now located in the East, the acceptability of domestic Asian bearing brands are more popular with the trend likely to overtake the old traditional brands, the new dominating force.
As an example, to take one of EU's slogan 'knowledge' may no longer be effective when Asian countries have their trading pact and local 'knowledge'. Asian thinking is different to the West and the culture is a 'closed shop', a clever combination just ask China..
22 June 2011Cambodia Launches South East Asian Business Project
The Kingdom of Cambodia has announced the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone 'PPSEZ' to position itself as a leading commercial destination for investment in the centre of South East Asia.
The PPSEZ has already attracted large multinationals from East Asia including ball bearing manufacturer Mineaba, Ajinomoto and Yamaha as well as Sumitomo Electric Industries, a Fortune 500 company.
Demand for investment in Cambodia is in fact so high that partners often have a hard time finding a large number of workers at all skill levels, although training assistance has already created many thousands of jobs for Cambodians.
Businesses that have decided to invest in the PPSEZ have seen smaller supply companies join them, given the market opportunities in Cambodia's underdeveloped industrial sector. Ajinomoto previously sourced its packaging from Singapore, but after opening a new packaging plant in the zone last October, a Chinese company, Xishan, has come in to fill the void.
Similarly, the Japanese manufacturer Minebea is starting to attract a host of supply companies to the PPSEZ, with the launch of a US$61-million investment this year. Due to the 'Minebea impact', several big names who are customers of Minebea are considering investing, as Minebea announced it alone would employ up to 5,000 people for the longer term in Cambodia.
The zone offers tax exemptions on imported raw materials, construction materials and equipment, while Cambodia also enjoys zero tariffs on exports to the EU as a least-developed country under the "Everything but Arms" programme.
Similarly, ASEAN is looking to move towards zero tariffs on trade in most goods by 2015 and as a bloc has agreed bilateral free-trade agreements with South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand in recent years, meaning investors in Cambodia increasingly enjoy tax exemptions on exports to a host of major economies.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said plans with PPSEZ is to set up vocational training schools with government and companies operating in the zone. "By getting cooperation of investing companies, we can provide more practical training programmes that meet investors' needs," he said.
"We will do a continuous campaign throughout Cambodia to encourage young Cambodians to work in the PPSEZ, not abroad."
**The Bearingcode www.bearingcode.com will assist bearing manufacturers, distributors and potentual investors in Cambodia and surrounding territories.
**For more information about Cambodia's Tax incentives and Projects contact your Consulate or those listed below:-
Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Belgian Consulate in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Bruneian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Bulgarian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Canadian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Cuban Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Danish Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
French Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia French Consulate in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
German Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Greenlandic Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Japanese Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Lao or Laotian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Malaysian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Myanmar Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Pakistani Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Polish Embassy in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia
Russian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Singaporean Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
British Embassy in Phnom Penh, CambodiaBritish Consulate in Sihanouk Ville, Cambodia
American Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Vietnamese Consulate in Phnom Penh, Cambodia8 June 2011
2011 Bearing Marketing Report On Counterfeit 'Fakes'
With the Electronic Industry constantly upgrading their counterfeit avoidance, the Bearingcode likewise reviews a number of bearing businesses for transparency towards manufacturing, labeling & branding, sales and marketing.
Bearing corporations reviewed include (1) SKF and SCHAEFFLER for Counterfeit Marketing; (2) NKE, IBC,UBC & VISTA for Counterfeit Labeling; (3) FBJ for Counterfeit Sales.
The 2012 report will be expanded to include all sections of the Bearing industry.
1.
Counterfeit Marketing for bearings commenced in real terms January 2007 by SKF Industries.
SKF Europe faked a 40 ton counterfeit bearing raid in Schweinfurt Germany capturing the imagination of the free press to boost SKF's corporate responsibility, only to expose the event as a multi million euro fraud. Since this event, SKF has continued to deceive the global bearing market with claims of disproportionate raids in Czech, UK and worldwide false & misleading advertising.
One of SKF's 2011 fake counterfeit raids falsely included the UK government office of "Trading Standards" only to be denied by the department head.
December 2008, the Bearingcode press release stated: "Counterfeiting in any industry is a most difficult time consuming task to combat and control, but to be victim of a deliberate and deceptive act of fake counterfeit marketing that done by SKF is a cruel and cowardly act of fraud"
According to Lawyers representing the SCHAEFFLER Group, their involvement with fake counterfeiting and raids has ceased.
2.
Counterfeit Labeling and Branding for bearings contain 2 major concerns: (a) Violation to Intellectual Property; 'IP' (b) Violation to Country of Origin; 'COUNTRY':
'IP' violations are faking a registered brand name eg. branding bearings TIMKEN without legal authority. 'COUNTRY' violation is faking a country of manufacture or authenticity.
Both types are considered equally dangerous, deceptive and illegal.
NKE Austria; allegedly violates the 'Country' of Origin by importing completed bearings from 3rd world countries, labeling & stamping NKE "Made in AUSTRIA" or NKE "STEYR AUSTRIA" then sold to markets as Premium bearings for high profit. Alimentary, simple but in violation to Dealer, Consumer and the Law.
IBC Germany badges Chinese bearings Made in Germany and Switzerland that complement there range, but in violation.
UBC and VISTA brands both Made in CHINA, simply label "USA" on packaging in violation.
NKE www.nke.at UBC www.ubc-bearing.com VISTA www.vista-bearing.com and IBC www.ibc-waelzlager.eu did not respond to Bearingcode requests for an update report, therefore considered no change.
3.
Counterfeit Sales or misleading advertising has increased in popularity.
Brands such as FBJ owned in SINGAPORE manufactured in CHINA allegedly marketed JAPANESE have No Country of Origin identification on bearing or box.
Where's the deception and Who is the violator SINGAPORE CHINA JAPAN or Reseller ?
The problem exists at the bottom of the market chain providing few glues to the unassuming Consumer pays for this high dollar counterfeit.
FBJ site www.fbj-bearings.com, brochures and packages do not mention the word "CHINA". A violation to the Consumer & Competition Affairs act, although the SINGAPORE FBJ arm dismisses this claim with impunity.
For your comments and further details: info@bearingcode.com
1 June 2011Continental AG (CON.DE) Hits 70.09 €
In a most spectacular rags to riches story from seeing Maria Schaeffler protesting on the streets of Germany after buying Continental Group shares around 70.00 € but crashing to 9.00 €, the Continental group has finally returned to the dizzy heights of pre GFC.
Continental Group with recruitment of highly paid German executives, assistance from global Bankers and the guts and determination from the board at Schaeffler, can celebrate another milestone in the Schaeffler family history in making bearings and auto parts a global trade name; Congratulations.
18 May 2011Counterfeit Electronic Parts and Electronic Supply Chain Symposium
Location:
Marriott Inn & Conference Center
College Park, MD
Next to the University of Maryland
SMTA and CALCE @ University of Maryland are pleased to announce the east coast venue for the Symposium on Counterfeit Electronic Parts and Electronic Supply Chain. The program will be held June 28-30 at the Marriott Inn & Conference Center next to the University of Maryland. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from and share your insights with government, industry and academia who are addressing the counterfeit problem.
Changes in electronic supply chain had been fast and furious in the last decades and its impact on the practices of companies is still evolving. It is well understood that, the scourge of counterfeit electronic parts is related to the changes in supply chain but it is only one of the many impacts. This symposium will provide a forum to cover all aspects of changes in the electronic parts supply chain on how an organization performs part selection and management through whole life cycle of the parts.
Going beyond anecdotes and examples of counterfeit parts, this symposium focuses on the solutions that are available and are under development by all sectors of the industry.Topics will include:
• Impact of supply chain changes on the component management practices: quality, reliability, manufacturability
• Electronic parts distribution: current stage and evolution
• Authentication techniques for securing electronic part supply chain
• Federal procurement practices and its impact on electronic supply chain
• Inspections tools and techniques for detecting counterfeit parts
• New areas of counterfeit concerns: materials, energy storage
• Industry and international working groups and standards on electronic part supply chain and counterfeit electronic parts
The symposium is organized by SMTA in conjunction with Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA. This symposium will be valuable to quality and reliability manager, supply chain managers, brand protection specialists, inspectors, marketing and procurement policy makers, contracts and legal management, security specialists and government agencies. Our focus is to provide relevant information to the professionals that can be used for solving problems today while planning for a different business and technology environment in the future.
|
Organized by |
| SMTA Headquarters - 5200 Willson Road - Suite 215 - Edina - MN - 55424 - Phone 952.920.7682 - Fax 952.926.1819 |
12 May 2011
Written Proposal to Create Bearing Alliance
At the request by the Foreign Trade Ministry representing the "BRICS" country alliance Brazil Russia India China South Africa, the Bearingcode publishes an open letter for a Proposal to commence an independent Bearing Association with suggested Name:- "Bearing Industry Coalition of Countries"
We invite written comments & arguments submitted to:- info@bearingcode.com
Below is the Bearingcode open letter to BRICS Trade Ministries and other Countries:- Asia/Australia, Africa, Latin America and CIS
** To the Honorable Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs **
Subject: BEARING ASSOCIATION
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has many concerns about the global Bearing Industry, this is well documented and known by various news articles.
Bearing manufacturers in USA Germany/Sweden & Japan have grouped together as the World Bearing Association (WBA) and marketed as 'Premium Brands Only'. This group has become an Exclusive Club & does not permit any other brand as members. As example, WBA can issue false & misleading reports such as Fake bearings and placing blame to Non-Members.
We have written a Concept proposal offering an Alternative group to balance the 'playing field' for the Bearing industry. This concept is submitted to the 'BRICS' country alliance to combat this WBA 'Exclusive Club' to enhance the level of global Pricing and Engineered products.
A copy of the Concept Proposal is now available presenting details about misleading history, formation of alternative association, strategy & planning, BRICS marketing advantage and operational guidelines.
We believe a meeting to explain further details would be beneficial, either in Singapore Thailand or Europe
** Bearing Industry Code of Conduct **
Dated: 11 May 2011
3 May 2011New Global Bearing Alliance For Consideration
The Indian Government has introduced programs for buyer credits to extended projects, promoting exports/imports within 'BRICS' member countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa that will no doubt extend to the Bearing Industry.
Credits would be offered on a case by case basis for many projects in such sectors as roads, housing, buildings, gas and oil pipelines, power, renewable energy, airports and various Manufacturing industries. This scheme is backed by the foreign government Exim Bank and the National Export Insurance Account NEIA, based on the Political & Trade pact 'BRICS' countries.
With a gigantic Bearing consumption, the 'BRICS' member group will also involve outside countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States that could form the world's largest and most important bearing alliance.
Other industries within the 'BRICS' countries to form alliances include the Microchip & Computer Electronics Association, Food & Beverage Group and a proposal for Aviation Aero Space.
Manufacturers and service operators who are not domestic maybe sidelined in this new program.
22 April 2011Aero Space Bearings Boost From New Russian Aviation Industry
Delivery of the first new Superjet 100 plane manufactured by Russian firm Sukhoi took place after expected delays within the global aero space industry. The first Superjet 100 named after cosmonaut 'Yuri Gagarin' was handed over to Armenia's Armavia carrier last week.
Russia anticipates that despite production delays, the Superjet will revive the country's civil aviation industry which has lagged behind other international competitors like Boeing and Airbus.
The Superjet 100 will be the first newly designed passenger aircraft built by Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union, and is aimed at challenging Canada's Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer in the regional airline sector.
Sukhoi's Superjet 100 with a capacity of 103 passengers, was developed in partnership with Boeing and Italy's Finmeccanica SpA with FAA appoval, has firm orders for 170 planes and plans to produce up to 1,000 Superjets primarily for foreign markets. Impressive in appearance looking similar to Boeing's latest 737 with a catalogue price of $31.8 million with initial discounts, making this model a highly competitive viable option to the international stage.
Below link is a worthwhile view of this Superjet
http://www.google.ru/search?hl=ru&newwindow=1&q=%D1%81%D1%83%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B9+%D1%81%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B5%D1%82+100&wrapid=tlif130340683464410&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=804http://superjet100.com/gallery/photos/
2 April 2011
UK Government Trading Standards Denies SKF Fake Claims
SKF recent press release claiming joint raids with the respectable UK Trading Standards, capturing Fake/Counterfeit bearings has been rejected as propaganda. Trading Standards deny any involvement with SKF; verified by their site:- http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
The propaganda story by SKF:- http://www.skf.com/skf/news/html/popup.jsp?lang=en&contentId=892972&updateProfileLocale=true
28 March 2011Fake Bearings Fake Promotion by Premium Brands
Whilst the Bearingcode has genuine interests in discovering Fake Bearings; the Promotion against Fakes by the so-called unincorporated 'World Bearing Association' (WBA) is deemed nothing more than promotional propaganda.
From the SAE USA meeting, disgruntled multinational corporations including GE, GM etc. expressed frustration towards inciting Fakes by leading Bearing Manufacturers to boost prices utilizing fear tactics. NASA has previously reiterated that no Fake bearings have ever been detected in their operations although bewilderment entrenched.
Over 3 years ago, a reward of $50,000 was offered for any successful OECD legal conviction for Fake bearing trafficking and whilst this is concurrent, no reward Claims have been made by either Manufacturer, distributor or consumer.
As explained to SAE members, series of emails to WBA about Fake verification failed to obtain a response, further, another so-called WBA member 'FEBMA' acronym for Federation of European Bearing Manufacturers also appears unincorporated, nonexistent or failed association alleged to increase hype. Emails sent to 'ABMA' USA for verification and explanation into their position with 'WBA' was not answered by Smith Bucklin, a leading management association.
The WBA group consisting of SKF, Schaeffler INA-FAG, NSK, KOYO & SNR have all been Convicted for 'Price Fixing' Cartels and remain a criminal body, these same companies are now advising to buy their products based on ill founded claims & raids now awaiting further Public Prosecution due 2012.
Fake, Spurious or Counterfeit bearings can be produced in various ways by various people but little is mentioned about an equally dangerous type of Counterfeiting operated by registered Companies eg. FBJ, NKE, IBC etc. purchasing complete bearings from China then brand 'Made in Germany' or of a different country than of origin. This procedure is done right in front of the major bearing manufacturers eyes without comment.
The Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (EICC) www.eicc.info has a 'high class' group of leading manufacturers & distributors headed by 'Microsoft'. The EICC also has the approval of many Industries including NASA and global consumers pulling together to prevent any type of crime. At this stage, the Bearing Industry must cease faking, re branding, stage making and Cartel activity if it wants genuine reform and recognition as a legitimate compliant Body.
19 March 2011Bearingcode Non Aligned
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct wishes to re-advise all Bearing groups & associations, that we are a Non Aligned regulatory body, incorporated for Industry governance and transparency.
The Bearingcode is self funded, and with kind contributions by government.
Our operations can only change providing the Bearing industry agrees to Corporate Governance and Transparency that initiated and recommended by the Clinton USA & Australian Federal Governments.
Recent times, the Bearingcode has received correspondence/emails requesting some alignment to other Bearing groups, however our agenda is to remain independent and fully compliant to Industry Standards and not collude with groups.
Below email is an example:
Hello Ian,
How are you doing these days ?
Great updates on information on your site, why don't you put some of them up on Bearingnet forums, they would open a few eyes ( and cans of worms most likely )
Hope to see you again one day.
S..... Scotland.
SAE 2011 Powertrain Electric Motors Symposium
SAE International USA will conduct a highly informative conference that will involve strategic matters involving the Bearing Industry.
Commencing: March 23, 2011
Location: Hyatt Regency Indianapolis *** Indianapolis, IN, USA
Full details, Registration and Agenda: http://www.sae.org/servlets/newsletter?LINK=11EMOTOR3a001&PID=92080703
Program Topics:
- Global Market Developments in Electric Traction Motors
- Permanent-Magnet Motors, Induction Motors, Switch Reluctance Motors
- Mid and Long Term Cost Projections on Rare-Earth Metals
- Safety, Reliability, Warranty, Durability and Cooling
- E-Motor Manufacturing Processes and Quality
- The "Construction Kit" Approach for E-motor Production
- OEMs and Bearing Suppliers on Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chains
Program Highlights:
- Global Market Developments in Electric Traction Motors Wolfgang Bernhart, Partner, Automotive Competence Center Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
- Comparing Traction Motors
David A. Fulton, Director of Advanced Engineering Remy International
- Mid and Long Term Cost projection on Rare-Earth Metals Jack Lifton, Founding Principal Technology Metals Research LLC
- Challenges and requirements for high volume production of e-motors Grzegorz Ombach, Director, Advanced Development Drives Brose Fahzeugteile GmbH & Co, KG
- E-Motor Manufacturing Processes and Quality
Peter Savagian, Engineering Director, Hybrid and Electric Vehicles General Motors
Panel Discussions
Technical Issues
- Moderator: Wolfgang Bernhart, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
- Panelists - David A. Fulton, Remy Inc.; Chunting (Chris) Mi, Univ. of Michigan-Dearborn; Knut Welke, Continental
OEMs and Suppliers: Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chains Moderator: Wolfgang Bernhart, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants Panelists:
- Peter Savagian, General Motors
- Michael Jaeger, Robert Bosch GmbH
- Michael Valentine-Urbschat, Siemens AG
- Patrick Wilson, Parker Hannifin Corp.
All participants are cordially invited to attend the Networking Reception on March 22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
For more information or to talk about customized opportunities, please contact:
Arlene DiSilvio
Event Sales Manager
TP: 724-772-4060 TF: 724-776-4026
disilvio@sae.org
Phone: 1-877-606-7323 (U.S. & Canada only) 1-724-776-4970
Fax: 1-724-776-0790
Email: CustomerService@sae.org
Online Plan:
http://www.sae.org/servlets/newsletter?LINK=11EMOTOR3a018&PID=92080703
False Bearing Raids Referred for Public Prosecution
Alleged false press releases issued by SKF and Schaeffler claiming 'raids' and discovering many Tons of counterfeit/fake bearings in Germany, Czech and Gt Britain, have now been referred to ACTA (Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) for future Prosecution.
The allegations refer to Mr Tom Johnstone CEO, SKF Industries, Dr. Juergen M. Geissinger CEO, Schaeffler Group and members of World Bearing Association; manipulating global markets for Profit by falsifying events, inciting media organizations, distorting Industry, consumers and the general public for capital Gain.
These allegations also refer to SKF CEO Mr Johnstone's press release that counterfeit bearing raids both in Germany and Czech Republic were the "good work by the World Bearing Association".
Extracts released by SKF and Schaeffler claim; 40 counterfeit tons found in Germany January 2007, 30 counterfeit tons Czech Republic June 2009, 8 counterfeit tons UK August 2010 with approx street value of Euro 50 Million.
18 February 2011Retrospective Counterfeit Laws Applicable to Bearing Industry
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which seeks to establish international standards on intellectual property rights has been requested to review 'Retrospective Laws' into Counterfeiting, participating or interfering with ACTA acts.
Simply, this proposed legislation is designed to assist criminal action against Corporate Directors counterfeiting involvement after their Retirement.
Retrospective Laws are labeled 'looking backwards' usually applied to those acts of the legislature, which are made to operate upon some subject, contract or crime which existed before the passage of the acts, and they are therefore called retrospective laws. These laws are generally unjust and are, to a certain extent, forbidden by that article in the constitution of the United States, which prohibits the passage of ex post facto laws or laws impairing contracts.
However, the ACTA submission arguments are based on drug 'Codes' as used in Sport & Olympics where samples from athletes can be kept for more than 10 years. Cycling is a typical case in point.
Counterfeit involvement of Ball & Rollers Bearings would be automatically subjected to such proposed Laws.
12 February 2011Continental AG (CON.DE) Shares Hit New High on DAX
Doom and gloom 2 years ago from the Schaeffler Groups bold takeover of Continental AG Germany, buying at over 70 Euro per share but watching with declining horror to 9 Euro during the GFC, facing either a bank bailout or possible government intervention, Continental AG shares closed yesterday at 63.81.
This is good news for Maria Schaeffler and her bankers, allowing much needed respite and providing various options for all concerned.
With other recent announcements by Schaeffler to re-structure and the rise in real Bank values will see smiling faces reappear and perhaps the return to normal dividends. But what will be the final outcome between these 2 large manufacturing groups?
Ernst Young accountants reported late last year there was no recognizable financial gain in this merger for either Continental or Schaeffler and profits could be bound by bureaucracy or the banks, detrimental to shareholders.
9 February 2011The bearing as a Reflector of Russian Customs
Could this happen to your Exports ?
The Arbitration Court of the Ural Federal District has made an unprecedented gift to customs inspectors: it has allowed imposing antidumping duties on goods that are not manufactured in Russia. Unless the verdict is overturned by a higher court, scandal is unavoidable. .
Commenced May, 2009, when Evrosnabkomplekt LLC was supplied 3,000 bearing assembly units from China to the Ordzhonikidzevsky customs station. Amir Khaknazarov, the General Director, thinking he would not have problems with import clearance, it was not the first year he imported these types to Russia. However, problems from the blue.
The imported units are not manufactured in Russia; therefore, they do not fall within the scope of the government decree "On protection for Russian manufacturers of roller bearings", which imposed a 41.5% anti-dumping duty on single-row bearings from China. For bearing units delivered to Russia, Evrosnabkomplekt paid a 5% duty, and for a long time customs inspectors were quite satisfied with the company's operations. Problems blew up after the businessman did not respond to the invitation of one of the officers: "We should fix it up".
According to A. Khaknazarov, the Ordzhonikidzevsky customs inspectors did not like the declaration filled in without participation of a customs broker, and the entrepreneur was given a hint that he could fail to get customs clearing. Then, there was a silent internal expert examination, which found that Evrosnabkomplekt had imported single-row bearings rather than bearing units. The Ordzhonikidzevsky customs inspectors demanded payment of an antidumping duty, together with the penalty for the inaccurate declaration.
The curious thing, not that A. Khaknazarov learnt about the customs' manipulations after the fact (the law requires that the customs applicant must be notified about an expert examination with written acknowledgment of receipt), but that in their report the experts referred to a certain ordinance issued on September 21, 2009, which no one had ever seen. Viktor Kovin, the entrepreneur's attorney, states that the arbitrary ordinance was soon annulled by the customs executives. Then the second expert examination took place. However, it actually repeated the previous report word-for-word.
As UGTU-UPI professor Alexander Krasilnikov told "RusBusinessNews", the problem with the terminology was caused by the wrong translation of the technical documentation from English into Russian: foreign manufacturers do not use such term as a bearing. As for the USSR, until the 1960s the bearing could have been equally named as an assembly or a unit. Half a century later, when issuing its decree, the Russian government refused from equalling the unit and the bearing - thus, causing differences of opinion. The item imported by Evrosnabkomplekt looked like a roller bearing, but according to experts, only dissection can reveal the actual number of rows. According to A. Krasilnikov, the dissection was performed by the Uralpodshipnik Research and Production Company that confirmed one row in the subject bearing.
Mikhail Mansurov, a sales manager of Uralpodshipnik, explained to "RusBusinessNews" that the company has no expert bureau and, therefore, cannot perform expert examination. The company's professionals checked against the catalog what should be defined as a bearing unit and a bearing. They found out that the unit means that the item must have some housing, which was absent in case of the Chinese item. So, they reported it as a "bearing".
On the other hand, Anatoly Komissarov, head of the Graphics and Machine Component Department at the Ural Agricultural Academy, argues that it does not matter whether the bearing is installed in a housing or not. The important thing is that it is an assembly: any item is recognized as an assembly unit if it consists of three or more elements. The subject item has an additional sleeve and threaded pins; therefore, in opinion of professor Komissarov, it is an assembly unit.
Here, the customs got entrapped: if the duties were not collected by mistake, then the customs executives must be dismissed for the tax deficiency. On the other hand, if the duty was charged wrongfully, the customs officials must be taken to the court and punished for extortion.
Ambitions of the second-rate customs officials will be costly for the government: they have smeared the already vulnerable reputation of the Russian court and cornered the government, which will have to collect duties from other importers of bearing assembly units, trying to save its face. By law, the duties will have to be collected for the last three years - business community is certain to resent and start filing letters of protest to the government.
Amir Khaknazarov has already informed the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation about his vicissitude. His letter was forwarded to the Federal Customs Service and the Sverdlovsk Region's prosecutor's office for detailed examination. Experts think that the customs officials and the judges will have to account for their questionable mistakes by law.
8 February 2011SAE Offering Engineer Exchange Program to Bearing Industry
SAE International "EngineerXchange" EXprogram is the NEW online professional network that gives access to powerful networking tools, career counseling/management tools, and advance access to SAE technical content.
Your EX platform is fully customizable, from the information you put in your profile to the ability to tag and comment on all content for easy search and sharing.
With EX, you have the ability to:
•Create and organize groups based on interest and topics
•Tag and search for topics
•Stay up to date on SAE news and events
•Chat live with other members
•Organize news, publications and other information based on your specifications
•Create and maintain your own blog
•Conduct surveys and polls
For detail information on this SAE EngineerXchange click: http://www.sae.org/servlets/newsletter?LINK=110207ALLa007&PID=90646805
If you have any further questions about EX, please contact SAE Customer Service:
Email: CustomerService@sae.org or info@bearingcode.com
Phone: 1-877-606-7323 (outside U.S. and Canada 1-724-776-4970)
Fax: 1-724-776-0790
Australian for Global Anti Counterfeiting Trade Chairman
Newly established 'Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement' (ACTA) will appoint a Chairman September 2011 with Australia's Mr. Graeme Samuel favourite for the demanding position.
Prominent lawyer specialising in commence Mr Samuel is current head of the Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) expected to stand down July 2011, is rumoured to accept a far greater International challenge as ACTA global Chairman. Samuels who recently stated; "I haven't a great desire to be disliked....If you feel a need to be liked, then that puts you in conflict with the public interest" certainly has his tasks at heart.
One of Samuels claim to fame is the desire to stop all forms of Board room price fixing, vowing, "I will get Cartels". Samuels in a recent TV interview stated a 'Wink' or 'Nod' to illegally agree to setting prices is just as dangerous as the written word.
Anti Counterfeiting Trade covers 'Fake' counterfeit claims from fantasy raids as used by the major Bearing Manufacturers creating a Cartel of 'Price Collusion'
More info on global 'Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement' see our article 11 December 2011
19 January 2011NKE Austria in Legal Damages for Material Difference Bearings
NKE brand from Austria has been served with Legal proceedings in the Manchester Court UK for supplying bearings to the value of Euro 60,000 that are 'material difference' with required specification, false labelling for customs declaration and delivery of product not in accordance with customers requirements for country of manufacture.
The plaintiff's Lawyers acting on behalf of the bearing dealer, allege NKE Austria on or about April 2010 supplied Roller Bearings to their client that were inferior by material difference and inferior of quality. The Claim also states Bearings supplied were not of EU origin but from an unnamed Asian source.
NKE Austria has issued a counter claim of non payment of goods delivered, but does not respond to the allegations of producing Fake bearings.
Manchester Court will set a specified date upon receipt of all party documents.
13 January 2011Marketing Bonus For Fake Bearing Dealers
New marketing concepts are now evident from current press releases into "Fake Bearings" for Bearing Distributors geared to buy, remodel & sell surplus stock, freely advertising "Stop Fake Bearings" complete with news story and logo.
This "Fake Bearing" marketing has no controls, no restrictions and no governing regulation allowing a free-for-all including a financial gain to those least expected, but most targeted.
These surplus bearing dealers including newly commenced traders can be easily found from Internet sites clearly advertising Anti Fake Bearings to give a legitimate touch and marketing edge to their image.
Example from simple observation, at least 3 main bearing distributors with authorized agencies in Australia display the anti fake bearing signs, one dealer supplying to SKF Industries, are fully geared to transform surplus bearings into any brand, any packaging, to any company.
Your comments & further information to: info@bearingcode.com
8 January 2011Metallurgical Report into Fake Bearing Market Campaign
Dr. Chakraborty, Professor and Co-author for consultancy activities in the global Metallurgical Field has requested the BICC to publish his technical report involving the 'Fake Bearing Market Campaign'
Sir, I find many small scale melting units are making ball bearing steel in the name of En31 who have no facilities for secondary refining though they are taking some steps for de-sulphurisation/ de-phosphorisation by adding desulph/ dephosph compounds followed by argon purging in the ladle.
From weekly news published by AISI about high quality alloy steel including ball bearing being dumped by particularly China in the developing countries where cost of production even is not met but they are getting about 40% subsidies from their Government.
Dr. Chakraborty asks "Is that quality of dumped ball bearing products are of superior quality in respect of chemistry, harmful gases like O2, H2, N2, trace elements, structure, banding, inclusion level etc.?"
Further "Ball bearing quality steel production & role of mini-steel plants against the Dumping of finished ball bearings, as well as input for ball bearing manufacturing industries in illegal way especially from China" is hurting the Bearing Industry."
"With big concern, a group of entrepreneurs are making sizeable money in the Fake Bearing Market Campaign for about the last two years at the expense of mini steel units even providing bearings at 50-60% domestic price which needs to be controlled. The dealership marketing network must take some responsibility in this area" adds Dr. Chakraborty.
Your emails are welcome to: 'srichakraborty41@rediffmail.com' or 'info@bearingcode.com'
11 December 2010European Parliament Clears New Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) Enforcement Treaty
The European Parliament has adopted a new resolution that effectively approves the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which seeks to establish international standards on intellectual property rights
Calling it a "step in the right direction", the parliament welcomed a number of recent moves to soften some of ACTA's more aggressive text. Crucially, the European Commission (EC) recently stated that "neither personal searches nor the so-called 'three strikes' procedure will be introduced by this agreement".
The new resolution was approved with 331 votes in favour, 294 against, and 11 abstentions. However MEP's also called on the EC "to confirm that ACTA's implementation will have no impact on fundamental rights and data protection, on the ongoing EU efforts to harmonise intellectual property rights enforcement measures, or on e-commerce".
John Lovelock, CEO for the Federation Against Software Theft (FAST), said:
"What is this voluntary trade agreement worth in real terms and does it actually add anything new to the international intellectual property enforcement framework? The answer has to be 'not a lot' unless it acts as a springboard for UK statutory damages following the example of the USA?
Pre established damages would help against infringements where the court only awards the missing licence fee. It is a change to the law that we really need. It would provide deterrence against infringers without needing to revert to the criminal law for deterrence alone which has its own complications with the raised burden of proof being number one.
Since the Gowers Review in 2006, we have been arguing for a deterrent to infringers, ACTA should be the inspiration on statutory damages in the new IP-Review recently announced by the [UK] Prime Minister."
Jérémie Zimmermann, spokesperson for the citizen organization La Quadrature du Net, said:
"This vote is a terrible blow to EU citizens. It shows that the conservatives and some of their allies can get the Parliament to vote in favour of ACTA"
However, the President of the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct, Ian McPherson augured strongly in favour of such anti-corruption laws stating:
"EU companies eg. SKF Industries and Schaeffler Group amongst others, are 'cashing-in' on fake counterfeit claims and false press releases that illegally form Cartels, making a mockery of ACTA"
Notes of evidence submitted: SKF & SCHAEFFLER convictions for 'Price Fixing'
Participants in the negotiations included Australia, Canada, the European Union (EU) - represented by the European Commission (EC), the EU Presidency and EU Member States + Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and of course the United States of America (USA).
A technical meeting to finalise legal wording will take place in Sydney (Australia) 30th November and 3rd December.
7 December 2010Bearing Manufacturers Cartel and Their Co-Operating Distributors
Feedback from the "Fake Counterfeit Cartel" proposal headed by SKF has drawn attention to many readers.
It appears we all agree. This suggested 'Cartel' is belittling the major Bearing manufacturers ability to their world's best highly sophisticated and highly engineered Products into a third rate marketing strategy, definitely outdated and definitely not needed by today's standard both legally and morally.
We are not the world's best commentators on social issues, nor are we the best in passing judgement on how a professional way we manufacturer bearings, but we simply understand absurd methods in presenting to global consumers the false advertising in promoting product.
If this bearing strategy is maintained, then threat of legal action from various Government attorneys is real and will also attract claims from Civil court proceedings.
Based on other 'Cartel' convictions, Civil claims are 10 times the Criminal penalty.
12 November 2010Another Bearing Cartel Proposed by SKF/Schaeffler
From 'Price Fixing Cartel' conviction to 'Fake Counterfeiting Claims' now to a 'Counterfeit Faking Cartel' all invented by SKF and Schaeffler, to create Consumer fear for increased Market share and price.
First commenced in Germany January 2007, this new alleged cartel scam by SKF/Schaeffer is seen as another "collusion" by the same 6 convicted bearing manufacturers, have recruited other bearing companies referred as the World Bearing Association (WBA) and possibly unbeknown to these businesses that a legal Conviction against SKF/Schaeffler & Co, is registered by the EU Law Courts.
Wikipedia on Cartels states: The aim of such collusion (also called the cartel agreement) is to increase individual members' profits by reducing competition.
Cartels are not restricted to 'price agreements' but to all forms of anti competition behaviour including 'Counterfeit Faking''
Heavy fines and Jail sentences are now being applied by the Courts. The EU Competition Commissioner Mr. Joaquin Almunia said; "Cartels engaging in any kind of anti-competitive conduct those displayed by 'Executives of these Companies' face up to 10 years jail"
The same warning against Cartels is echoed by the Australian Consumer & Competition Commission, Chairman Mr. Graeme Samuel, (BICC linked) and played a key role in the 'Air Cargo Price-Fixing' fines netting a staggering $1.1 billion and jail sentences.
The BICC has searched globally for evidence to SKF's Mr Tom Johnstone's German/Czech/UK counterfeit claims that boasts the WBA involvement, is now viewed as shear fantasy by their German Lawyer Frau Bichelmeir-Bohn 'bichelmeir@fsr.eu'
Mr. Johnstone press releases from these so-called raids, the denial from SKF/Schaefflers Lawyers, the lack of any legal documentation, and fake press releases, are considered a Hoax to gain valuable market share and prices; in other words 'Collusion'
3 November 2010SKF, Timken and WBA on Shallow Counterfeit Ground
Recent news reports from SKF's CEO Mr. Tom Johnstone and Timken suggesting the dramas' and fallout about Counterfeit Bearings and stating their fight against this illegal activity is a priority, should stop and reconsider their own legal footing & ramifications.
SKF's Mr. Tom Johnstone appears quite ignorant about how Counterfeiters can be dealt with by the Law Courts.
From Mr. Tom Johnstone's own directions, SKF has been involved in Fake Counterfeiting allegations in Germany, Czech and more recently UK.
These allegations have been well documented by the BICC. Therefore, if foreign Counterfeit offenders are caught and legal proceedings are taken, little benefit will prevail as relief sought could be squashed by the Magistrate due to SKF and other WBA members participation in corruption of similar nature.
The Law is clear, if seeking relief then you must be "Whiter than White". Further, any legal proceedings into Counterfeit Bearings will be sanctioned by the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct with the tabling of evidence.
26 October 2010Bearing Buyer and Seller Beware for Takeovers
There are major bearing manufacturers and large bearing distributors announcing intentions to acquire smaller bearing dealers/companies, either on a local or global scale.
This strategy is somewhat formatted with many hidden agendas including the buyers chance to freely collect Customers and Sales Marketing details via a mandatory "Due Diligence".
By allowing this procedure to occur, the bearing Dealer will forfeit or expose all other vital "Intellectual Property" built up over their many trading years.
This fallout may leave the bearing Dealer vulnerable to:
(a) Selling price for the business is argued down by using their numbers
(b) Payment of loan accounts used as part of the buying price
(c) Tax implications not covered or "franked"
(d) Long term future working agreement/package
(e) Unknown "Means tested" effect
(f) The discontentment of staff
There are 3 important considerations to minimize fallout in case the sale does not proceed, or maximize and justifying your selling price:
1. Appoint independent accesser
2. Up front Non refundable 20% deposit
3. All legal & accounting fees paid by Buyer
Note: The Purchasers position is a simple 'Buyer beware" policy having many years of experience in this field.
If you are in the above position and not sure of any procedure, please contact the BearingCode for further information; info@bearingcode.com
8 October 2010Sweden's New Price Fixing and Counterfeit Allegations
swedishwire.com - Sweden's business, economy and current affairs 8th October 2010 - 06:04 local time
'SWEDISH WIRE'
• British watchdog probes Scania Sweden over price-fixing
A British watchdog said Thursday it had launched a probe into alleged price-fixing by major European truck makers, including Sweden's second biggest truck maker Scania.
The Swedish company said it will "cooperate fully" in the investigations.
"Scania's British subsidiary has received a letter from the OFT as part of the investigation and will cooperate fully with OFT during the course of the forthcoming investigative work", the company said in a statement Thursday afternoon, adding that it had "no further comment on this matter".
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) issued a statement which said it was "investigating suspected cartel activity involving commercial vehicle manufacturers in the UK."
This report complicates Swedish Business ethics involving 'Price Fixing';
SKF Industries, Sweden's ball bearing manufacturer has been recently convicted of a 'Price Fixing Cartel' and shared a penalty of 19 Million euros by the French Courts.
Further investigations into an alledged Counterfeiting scam by SKF are continuing from Germany, Czech and United Kingdom.
6 October 2010Limited Consideration to Counterfeit Bearings
There are Bearing associations and groups especially in USA, EU & JAPAN claiming to combat Counterfeit product, but limited to only one Model or defined area.
In fact, the Global Bearing Industry experiences 4 different Models of Counterfeit Product:-
1. Violation of Intellectual Property (IP) - example "SKF Counterfeits by the Chinese"
2. Country of Origin Counterfeits - example "NKE Bearings China marked & claimed Austrian Made"
3. No Country of Origin Counterfeits - example "FBJ Bearings China advertising as Japanese Made"
4. False claims of Counterfeit - example "SKF faking claims of counterfeits in Germany, Czech & UK"
All 4 Models are as bad as each other, all 4 models deceive Bearing consumers and tarnish our Industry effecting the general floor price
Until major bearing manufacturers recognize the full extent of these different models, then combating counterfeiting is only 'Window Dressing'
20 September 2010Continental Shares - Schaeffler Continue to Climb
Continental's share price continued its climb on the German "Dax" now breaking the 56 Euro barrier for the first time in two years, a welcome relief to the Schaeffler family and other investors.
This is a 15% improvement in 4 weeks.
This coincides with the newly created Supervisory Board of Schaeffler GmbH team led by their Chairman Georg F.W. Schaeffler, keeping key positions within the Schaeffler family group.
This is good news for the bearing industry in general, and trust a number of lessons were gathered on their bumpy pathway with fiscal matters.
13 September 2010ALERT: Fraudulent LUFKIN INDUSTRIES USA Checks Warning
Lufkin Industries USA a diverse Bearing specialist has issued the following statement:
Several individuals have recently reported receiving fraudulent checks by overnight mail, using counterfeited checks imprinted with Lufkin Industries, Inc.'s name and address.
These fraudulent checks appear to have been issued in a check overpayment scam. This scam involves individuals who have items for sale or who are responding to a job opportunity (baby sitting / tutoring) through Craig's List. Typically, the scammers send the fraudulent check, by overnight mail, and state that it is from a partner company. The check amount is for more than the agreed upon price, which the scammers then instruct the recipient to deposit the check and send the difference by wire to a third party.
If you are in receipt of such a check, it is fraudulent. LUFKIN is not in any way involved in this fraud scam.
Having been provided with a number of samples of such checks, it is apparent on their face that they are fraudulent. The fraudulent checks are written on Region Bank with account number 8400200662. The bank name is misspelled and the account number used has been closed for more than five years. Also, the signature on these fraudulent checks is not an approved signer.
Should these fraudulent checks be cashed, they will not be honoured, leaving the person who cashed the check liable for any purchases or actions taken after the initial deposit.
If you have received an unexpected check from Lufkin Industries, Inc., and are asked in turn to send money to a third party, please call LUFKIN USA at (936) 637-5274 or: info@lufkin.com
29 August 2010China with Another Counterfeit Product - WINE
"The Age" 27.08.2010
The Australian wine industry's $143 million trade with China could be threatened following the discovery of fake Australian wines in China
Chinese entrepreneurs are counterfeiting Australian wine, including knock-offs of one of our best-known brands, Penfolds, and promoting the fakes as quality wines in shops and trade fairs throughout the country.
But it's not just big companies being targeted. One small Australian wine producer from the southern Flinders Ranges claims he has been the victim of Chinese counterfeiters.
From Bearings to Eggs and now Wine, the Chinese cannot help themselves and yet we tolerate them to violate global IP and copyright.
27 August 2010Bearing Identification Still Confusing - Legal Action Pending
Markings and labeling of bearings are critical to every End-User & Consumer, but mis-interpretation by some "so-called" bearing manufacturers to comply with simple guidelines continue to escalate.
The argument by many unscrupulous traders say major players eg. SKF, TIMKEN do not fully comply to labeling Standards as a requirement by Law, therefore why should they comply. This is an incorrect assumption.
From recent inspections of distributors stock found that SCHAEFFLER, SKF & TIMKEN complied 100% to the three requirements (1) Part number (2) Brand (3) Country of Origin.
The BICC platform is based on this 3 step formula, simple but straight to the point.
Unfortunately, the major players are not willing to assist the BICC with eliminating this practice preferring to 'Profit' by way of public confusion at the expense of Safety and consumer backlash, eventually lowering the bearing floor price.
If you have a concern about this 3 Step Formula, we would be pleased to receive your comments. The BICC is involved with a significant LEGAL CLAIM by a UK distributor against a EU "so-called" bearing manufacturer over the true 'Country of Origin', we are now hoping for a Legal Precedent to be established ceasing this type of confusion in the Bearing industry.
24 August 2010SAE Seeks Information on Bearing Industry Salaries
Dear Industry Professional:
SAE International wants to provide industry professionals like you with information that will help you and your organization succeed.
We have asked Readex Research, an independent research company, to help us conduct a Salary Survey.
Your reply is vital for valid results. Of course, your answers will be handled in strict confidence by Readex Research, and will be used only in tabulation with others. No respondent-identifiable or organization-identifiable information will be published. As a token of our appreciation, all participants will be sent via email a PDF summary report of the results.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by pointing your web browser to:
http://www.readexsurvey.net/sae/surveyno.asp?xbcqqknbz
Thank you in advance for helping SAE International & the BICC bring this benefit to our professions and that of the Bearing industry in general.
Bill Cariello
Manager, Web Strategy/Operations
Readex Research
2251 Tower Drive W
Stillwater, MN 55082
USA
Brian Leonard, Bearing Engineer for SKF,VBS,STEYR and BICC
Bearing Engineer BRIAN LEONARD, who assisted NASA with the mounting & bearing maintenance for the satellite telescope dish in Australia, involving the Moon's first landing walk, passed away this morning 18 August 2010.
Brian was the Engineer at SKF responsible for the Australian Railways and Mining Industry, Engineer at Victorian Bearings for Paper + Pulp, Electricity grid, Engineer for Steyr Austria & Engineer for the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct.
He was a global traveller for bearings in general who made friends and mates in many Countries eg. EU, ASIA & USA. Brian also assisted many bearing plants in modifying production with the latest technology.
Brian will be sadly missed by family Paul, Shane & Sue and the BICC committee.
10 August 2010CONTINENTAL AG Raising the Stakes for Schaeffler
Germany's Continental shares has risen from a disastrous low of 10 Euro some 18 months ago, to a more respectable level today hovering around 50 Euro.
For Maria Schaeffler's 2008 initial investment buying Continental at 76 Euros but watching her fortune turn to rags, must come as a very welcome relief although still in technical bankruptcy territory.
However, smart DAX Continental buyers of around 10 Euros including Institutions, Bankers and family members, profit taking of approx 4-5 times on new investment buying will more than pay for Maria's decision to take over the auto tyre & component Manufacturer.
By January 2011, there should be a clear direction of whom will be in final control and what stake holding the Ball Bearing manufacturer Schaeffler is allowed by Bankers, after all it's the Institution's money that has overseen and made the hard decisions to allow Maria to recover albeit not fully.
26 July 2010Russian Bearing Invention for a Level Playing Field
Russian bearing distributors have established a new novelty name to describe the "fake" Country of Origin as used by brands IBC, NKE, FBJ, UBC & VISTA as "ARTFUL CHINESE"
This form of satire is possibly the best, outside taking legal action, to enlighten Consumers about the dangers of Labelling Chinese bearings to that of Germany, cashing in on a much higher price tag.
Perhaps this same slogan can be adopted for the continuing "fake" Counterfeit claims as marketed by SKF Industries to "ARTFUL DECEPTION"
15 July 2010German Minister Calls for Code of Conduct to Internet 'Honour Code'
BERLIN 12 July 2010 — Germany's consumer minister, who vowed to delete her Facebook account in protest at the networking site's privacy policies, called Monday for an Internet "CODE of CONDUCT" this honour code to protect personal data.
"We need an Conduct honour code... 10 golden rules -- short, sharp and clear," Ilse Aigner told Die Welt daily in an interview.
"Such rules can only come from the Internet community. It would be good if users themselves made suggestions. We could base them on social networks that already have a 'netiquette'.
"The Internet could become the pillory of the 21st century. The trend is worrying," added the minister.
Last month, Aigner, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, said she would remove her page from Facebook after failing to receive assurances from the US firm that her private data were secure.
"Anyone who visits a social networking site should know that it's a business model. The service is not free. We users pay for it with our private data," Aigner said.
She launched another broadside at Facebook saying she had become a member of other social sites with better privacy controls.
With these sites, "I can decide to open doors and windows and I can better control what personal information I share with others," she said.
"On Facebook, the reverse is true: I have to go through the cumbersome process of changing my security setting to close these doors and windows and protect my privacy.
"Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has indicated that in principle, he does not want to change anything. In contrast, his firm wants to use members' private profiles for commercial purposes," the minister added.
Partly for historical reasons, Germany is particularly sensitive about privacy issues, with campaigners bristling at plans by US Internet giant Google to launch its "Street View" service in Germany later this year.
"Street View" allows Internet users to view panoramic still photographs at street level from spots around the world, with images taken from specially equipped vehicles.
Officials and campaigners in Germany called the service an invasion of privacy and a potential security risk, a CODE of CONDUCT is essential.
5 July 2010BRAMMER & SKF Counterfeit Claim Ruled False by UK Magazine
From previous Fake counterfeit claims by BRAMMER & SKF, 10 May 2010
"Bearing Bandit Brands" - part one.
Quote:
"Roulement Bearings Kugellager was ordered to pay damages of €45,000 to SKF late last year for distributing copies of its bearings. It was also ordered to pay all of the associated with the confiscation of the counterfeit products as well as the publication of the court order in three magazines" By Mr. Jeremy Salisbury, Senior Engineer at Brammer's HQ UK
Another Fake claim by the same person at BRAMMER appears in several trade magazines.
This is again a typical ploy by SKF to market product and concern the engineering Industry to buy only SKF bearings at the expense of other brands. Other similar ploys include 2007 in Germany and 2009 in Czech Republic to name a few.
Having prior legal convictions against SKF, one has the impression they will never learn.
5 July 2010The Society for Automotive Engineers Keeping Pace with Bearings
Just to let the Bearing Industry know that SAE's website just received a makeover!
www.sae.org re-engineered for mobility engineers worldwide http://www.sae.org/servlets/newsletter?LINK=MBRWEBEMLa002&PID=74185031
Designed first and foremost with our members and customers in mind, the site brings together all that SAE has to offer and enables users to customize their navigation to best fit their professional needs.
We've put together a brief video that offers insight into the "what and why" of the changes that will work towards providing an improved user experience.
Check out the video and the website then let us know what you think by calling us at 1.877.606.7323 or emailing us at CustomerService@sae.org http://www.sae.org/servlets/newsletter?LINK=MBRWEBEMLa002&PID=74185031 or via the BICC: info@bearingcode.com
22 June 2010SKF Disputed Claims of Corporate Behaviour
Last month's press release re: SKF award to FTSE4Good Index Series claiming Corporate Responsibility, has been disputed and not ratified as a Global endorsement for Good Corporate Behaviour.
"The FTSE4Good Index is a tool for investors, and as a result it is rules-based, built on transparent criteria that companies have to meet to be listed in the Index" said Mr. David Harris, Director, Responsible Investment Unit FTSE Group
David Harris further stated "SKF's inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series and concerns over involvement in Price Fixing and Counterfeit Products, will be raised at the next FTSE Committee meeting."
From SKF's Cartel damage that attracted criminal convictions and penalties of more than 19 million euros, has yet to receive official whistleblower immunity from the EU courts.
Whistleblower immunity is normally granted to corporations who cooperate with legal authorities either before or after Court proceedings or show a degree of remorse. In all cases, SKF has not cooperated.
The CEO of SKF Industries Tom Johnstone and his Board, last week declined to make comment to BICC.
4 June 2010Bearings Without Profit
There has been suggestions that the BICC does not make money - Correct
The following information will explain why:-
- THE BEARING INDUSTRY CODE OF CONDUCT IS NOT A TRADER OF BEARINGS
- THE BICC DOES NOT MAKE A PROFIT ACCORDING TO LEGAL & TAX REQUIREMENTS
- THE BICC IS PART FUNDED BY THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
- THE BICC PRESIDENT IS A FORMER BEARING TRADER & ELECTED POLITICIAN
- ANY INCORRECT BICC NEWS ITEM WILL BE RETRACTED WITH AN APOLOGY
3 June 2010Russia Acknowledges Problematic Bearing Brands
The BICC has forged links with Russia with an exchange of information, recognition, membership and of culture acceptance. BICC news articles will be translated into Russian by our Moscow counter-parts and relayed throughout the entire Country including government departments
Below is our news article 11 May 2010 in Russian on allegations of brands not in Compliance, with misleading marketing information to Consumer & Competition Standards.
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Дата публикации: 29/05/2010
Некоммерческая международная организация Bearing Industry Code of Conduct (BICC), пытающаяся противодействовать недобросовестным отношениям на мировом подшипниковом рынке, вновь обратила свое внимание на ряд брендов, которые не наносят на подшипники и упаковку истинное место производства, тем самым вводя заблуждение потребителей и зарабатывая сверхприбыли. Основной причиной подобной ситуации, как считают специалисты, является скептическое отношение потребителей к качеству подшипников произведенных в Китае и Индии, не без основания полагающие, что производители из этих странах и даже всемирно известные бренды, имеющие там свои производства, пока, к сожалению, не могут предложить мировому рынку достойную продукцию. Потребители не желают покупать китайские и индийские подшипники задорого, требуя у поставщиков низких цен, не давая возможность таким образом делать добавленную стоимость. Поэтому в погоне за прибылями ряд владельцев брендов, изготавливающие подшипники в Китае или Индии на собственных фабриках или по субподряду, стараются скрыть истинное место производства, тем самым фактически обманывая клиентов, а также нарушая законодательство многих странах, превращаясь тем самым в бандитов.
Эти бренды, по мнению Bearing Industry Code of Conduct, в погоне за прибылями вводят потребителей в заблуждение, ведя себя почти как бандиты
Чтобы как можно дольше избегать проблем, владельцы брендов совместно со своими торговыми партнерами идут на ряд ухищрений, среди них:
1) регистрация юридического лица (владельца бренда) в развитой стране – если законы разрешают, то появляется возможность указывать на подшипниках и упаковке "Производитель: страна регистрации", а также позиционировать бренд как бренд из развитой страны;
2) "безымянные" подшипники поставляются на склад или предприятие со специальным оборудованием в развитой стране, где проводят фирменную маркировку и упаковку – цели достигаются те же, что и в первом случае;
3) на подшипнике и его упаковке вообще не указывается место производства;
4) крайняя степень закрытости – потребитель, без специально заказанного расследования, не может определить:
а) кому по-настоящему принадлежит бренд (что за фирма или группа людей стоит за ним),
б) подшипники изготавливаются на собственных заводах или на контрактных предприятиях,
в) где находятся эти фабрики,
г) каков технический уровень производства, какие технологические операции там производятся (отсутствует видео- и фотоматериал с заводов, нет ознакомительных экскурсий по производственным площадкам), д) путь следования подшипников от места производства до потребителя.
По мнению специалистов, подобными методами пользуются многие производители подшипников из Китая, а также некоторые популярные международные торговые марки, в последние годы проводящие агрессивную маркетинговую политику на мировом подшипниковом рынке.
Проведенный BICC анализ сообщений, поступивший в ее адрес из различных уголков мира, выявил, что подшипники, производимые под марками NKE, FBJ, IBC, UBC, VISTA, имеют некоторые проблемы в области интеллектуальной собственности, особенно с той частью, что касается обмана потребителей путем искажения места изготовления продукции. К сожалению, имеющиеся на данный момент информация и улики не позволяют подать судебные иски против этих брендов.
Признаки нарушений в области интеллектуальной собственности, выявленные
BICCБренд
Потребитель, вводимый в заблуждение специальными маркетинговыми методами, считает, что подшипники производятся в этой стране Признаки нарушений
NKE
Австрия
1) произведенные в Китае и Индии на контрактных производствах подшипники позиционируются как оригинальные подшипники NKE;
2) на кольцах подшипников не нанесена страна-производитель и торговая марка;
3) на коробках и упаковка не указано, что подшипники произведены за рубежом;
4) "Made in Austria" ("Произведено в Австрии") отмечено в большинстве документов.
FBJ
Япония
1) на подшипниках и упаковке не указана страна-производитель;
2) на официальном сайте и в документах к подшипникам не указано, что подшипники произведены в Китае, хотя представители FBJ не раз заявляли о производстве на контрактных предприятиях;
3) в проводимой маркетинговой компании упоминается Япония;
4) небольшая ссылка на Сингапур, в то же время там расположен основной центр дистрибуции этих подшипников;
5) продается по цене близкой к цене китайских подшипников.
VISTA, UBC
США
1) на упаковке и подшипниках не указано, что Китай;
2) на коробках напечатано USA (США);
3) нигде не указано, что США – это только место дистрибуции;
4) ограниченная техническая поддержка.
IBC
Германия
1) все подшипники маркируются "Made in Germany";
2) на подшипниках не нанесено "Made in Taiwan", хотя некоторые производятся именно там;
3) в документах отмечена Германия;
4) обманчивая маркировка в Сингапуре.
BICC рекомендует с осторожностью относиться к подшипникам под этими торговыми марками, понимать, что, покупая их, Вы обогащаете владельцев брендов и торговцев, делающих прибыль на разнице между конечной стоимостью и себестоимостью в размере до 200% и более.
По материалам: http://bearingcode.com/
11 May 2010"Generation Y" Factors Change for Industry
They say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' What sensible advice. Often, though, it is used as an excuse for apathy.
Many things may not be exactly 'broke' but they are certainly inefficient and unsatisfactory.
If we leave them alone, just because they seem better than nothing, we make a poor choice.
The BICC is now bringing about a much-needed change. Out with the Old, In with the New. Many people in the Bearing Industry maybe concerned with all this new stuff, when can you remember the last big change?
We are now in the less corrupt era of "Generation Y" where it's cool for grown up Y"s to holiday with their cashed up "Baby Boomer" parents. Now socially acceptable. We trust Industry will follow suit
11 May 2010Bearing Bandit Brands - part two.
The issues of false and misleading identification used by smaller bearing brands appear pandemic and to a certain extent, out of control, who simply confuse and 'trick' markets in the name of Distribution.
And their distributors, without scruples, welcome this confusion to disguise the true Country of origin knowingly put 'Spin' to the un-assumed End-User or Consumer in anticipation of an order.
Brands include: NKE, FBJ, IBC, UBC, VISTA and many Chinese producers who simply refuse to label and identify their true place of Origin.
From communications involving Audit procedures with NKE BEARINGS in Austria, found concerns with many fundamental breaches of Compliance and violation to Intellectual Property particularly to the true Country of Origin for complete Bearings, with deception of manufacture evident.
Examples found NKE Austria:
*Chinese bearings substituted as NKE bearings
*Indian bearings substituted as NKE bearings
*No branding on Bearing Rings
*No Country of Origin on Bearings Rings
*No Foreign country stamped on boxes or packaging
*The words "NKE Bearings Steyr Austria" on boxes & packaging
*"Made in Austria" is marked on most documents
Examples found FBJ China:
*No markings on bearings or boxes
*No reference to China on documents or Website
*Japan is mentioned with all marketing
*Little reference to Singapore
*Prices consistent with Chinese
*Countries eg. RUSSIA state FBJ pricing cheaper than domestic
Examples found UBC, VISTA other Chinese
*China not marked on bearings & boxes
*USA stamped on boxes
*Distribution as USA Origin
*Limited technical support
Examples found IBC
*All bearings marked 'Made in Germany'
*No bearings marked 'Made in Taiwan'
*Documentation marked Germany
*Deceptive marking in Singapore
Bearing Bandit Brands - part one.
Counterfeit products, bearings without makings or bearings with false stampings appear universal, the only issue at stake is price acceptance.
We have stressed many times the dangers in dealing with certain brands, especially those who don't comply to a Country of Origin, unbranded Rings and to packaging or false and misleading identification.
Strangely, it appears the threat of that "Genuine Counterfeit Bearing" is quite easily detected, given the dramas' played out by some mainstream Manufacturers of misleading & fake Press releases designed for free and easy advertising their own products.
There are many examples of Fake Press Releases particularly by SKF who gain free editorials from magazines advising to Consumers of SKF counterfeit catch, knowing its just a publicity stunt.
Last week, SKF LUTON together with their UK distributor BRAMMER issued a major, but completely False press article, all in the name of Propaganda journalism.
Quote:
"Roulement Bearings Kugellager was ordered to pay damages of €45,000 to SKF late last year for distributing copies of its bearings. It was also ordered to pay all of the associated with the confiscation of the counterfeit products as well as the publication of the court order in three magazines"
The Author of this press release, Mr. Jeremy Salisbury, Senior Engineer at Brammer's HQ UK, with SKF Luton's consent
The BICC sent emails requesting the authenticity to Brammer and SKF - No response.
26 April 2010SAE International Thanks/Grazie to BICC
Statement received from CEO, L. Schutt, PhD, Society for Automotive Engineers, International
Arigato...grazie...barkal...terima kasih...komapsumnida...gyalailaa...danke...merci...obrigado...tack...thank you.
With members in 100 nations around the world, it is difficult to say "thank you" in every language, but, nonetheless, "thank you" is what we at SAE International want to say to the BearingCode during National Volunteer Week.
Volunteers are the engines that drive much of what is good in our society - be they organizations that help the underprivileged or individuals who give their time to help children discover the excitement and promise of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Volunteers also are the reason why SAE International has succeeded and thrived in its more than one-hundred-year mission of serving the mobility engineering community. Everything that we do is through the guidance, help and support of our volunteers and members - standards development, technical committees, operating boards and even judging for collegiate design competitions are possible because of volunteers.
And, it doesn't end there. Did you know that SAE International's Board of Directors and Officers, authors, peer-reviewers, faculty advisors and Section officers also are volunteers? The list goes on, and each year it seems that more people are willing to give their time and talents to SAE International.
On behalf of SAE International, I want to say "thank you." You embody the spirit of National Volunteer Week and you epitomize the spirit of SAE International.
Respectfully,
David L. Schutt, PhD
SAE International
Chief Executive Officer
April 23, 2010
SAE International - 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
USA
Bearingcode Members Section Now Complete in Detail
The Bearing Code has completed all sections to the 'Members Login' area providing critical information and reports for Bearing Manufacturers, Distributors, Institutions including the Press media and related Industries.
The 'Members Login' pages are the most comprehensive ever published for the global Bearing Industry to the categories listed.
A brief summary of the sections: -
* Your Brand Report.
Allows members free reporting on Bearing businesses, limited access to China.
* Country of Origin.
Provides the necessary legal conditions
* Material Specifications.
The importance to engineered Bearing Standards requirements
* Counterfeiter.
Identifies those businesses involved and how prevention can be achieved
* Faker.
Lists the businesses who Fake conditions eg. Counterfeiting for marketing gain
* Piracy Policy.
Detailed listing to prevent violation to Intellectual Property, How to avoid & catch
* Certification.
The importance to Compliance for Consumers
* Manufacturer.
Dedicated to all Bearing & Component Manufacturers
* Distributor.
Dedicated to the Distributor and End-User
* Legal Convictions
Listing of serious convicted violations by Bearing Corporations for serious crimes
SAE Bearing Industry Volunteers Next Call Up
Society for Automotive Engineers volunteers have an invaluable impact on the success of the SAE and to all Industry Leaders. But did you know that it can have many benefits for you personally too?
Consider these reasons to be a part of the SAE professional network:-
- Boost your career options
- Volunteering is the perfect way to explore new fields, expand your work portfolio in your field
- Gain a real insight into your chosen path
A recent survey* showed:
73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without
94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills
94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted
*Time Bank survey through Reed Executive
Volunteering is a perfect vehicle to discover something you are really good at or develop a professional and/or technical skill that can benefit your career via many 'Standard Committees'
Airframe Bearing Group Committee Members
Aerospace Standards Committee Members
Award Committee Members
Ground Vehicle Standards Committee Members
Technical Committee Document Sponsors
Technical Paper Authors
Technical Reviewers (papers, books, professional development courses)
Technical Session Organizers
TIMKEN Bearing Co USA are a big contributor to SAE including multiple million dollar grants PA
Volunteering offers an incredible networking opportunity. You never know who you will meet or what new information you will learn
Give back to future generations of engineers and all those involved in Marketing, Sales & Logistics
If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, please contact us at:- volunteer@sae.org or via the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct:- ian@bearingcode.com
26 March 20102010 World's Most Ethical Companies
The World’s Most Ethical Companies designation recognizes companies that truly go beyond making statements about doing business “ethically” and translate those words into action. WME honorees demonstrate real and sustained ethical leadership within their industries, putting into real business practice the Institute’s credo of “Good. Smart. Business. Profit.”
There is no set number of companies that make the list each year. Rather, the World’s Most Ethical Company designation is awarded to those companies that have leading ethics and compliance programs, particularly as compared to their industry peers. This year, there are 100 World’s Most Ethical Companies. Of these companies, 26 are new to the list in 2010 and 24 companies dropped off from the 2009 list. These “drop offs” generally occurred because of litigation and ethics violations, as well as increased competition from within their industry.
The Timken Company USA; who is a regular to the ‘Bearing Industry Code of Conduct’ is the only Bearing business recognized.
Other leading Bearing manufacturers e.g. SKF INA FAG NSK KOYO SNR did not qualify in any ‘most ethical’ sections due to prior legal convictions for Price Fixing.
Industrial Manufacturing Section WME
Caterpillar
Deere & Company
Eaton
Milliken and Company
Rockwell Automation
Timken
The Bearing Industry Baby Boomers Club
From many news articles written by Academics suggests new, emerging worldviews will clash against outdated and stagnant worldviews of the late 20th century.
Some predict that People who refused to adapt by choosing to remain frozen in their ways and outlooks, and who by choice, are threatened by change, will find later that they have seriously neglected essential areas of their lives.
It will not be easy to work with people who are resistant to change. These are people who are afraid of the future, and thus prefer to stick solely with what they believe will work based on the outdated practices that has proven not only faulty - but entirely useless in light of the crumbling of old structures.
Much of this fear is based on many in western society who see retirement as a negative thing, and who have not prepared themselves for the facts of life of aging. Many people are unaware that world events clearly show that the materialistic structures they've depended on all of their lives is now crumbling due to widespread mismanagement, corruption, and the lack of vision and foresight.
The Bearing Industry has these concerns in particular to Transparency and the false press releases of a grand order called "World Bearing Association", however it's the old "baby boomer" management of this group is the most worrying.
8 March 2010Bearing Prices at Record Lows in Asia
As Asian economies appear certain to re-bound, coupled with China's continued thirst for anything & everything, emerges cheaper floor pricing for Bearings in most brands throughout the entire Far East Markets.
Japanese Bearing price levels are slashed to an approx 10 year lows and SKF competing with FAG for the top-end their prices are so attractive that the so-called 'Grey' market has virtually dried up.
This 'Grey' market is created by surplus or over stocked bearings dispersed via back doors of the most reputable brands pushed by Managers looking for sales income at any price. Of course this is hotly denied with blame laid firmly against a 'gangster' type element within the Bearing Industry, but as the US Courts determined a couple of years ago (SKF vs. Others) the 'Grey' Market is a legitimate form of marketing or business enterprise on the verge of extinction, for at least the time being.
Another example of how Bearing prices have declined was the quick entry & exit of old brands such as ZKL trying to compete in Asia, without much success. The Czech bearing, although has good manufacturing ability has not the capabilities to compete against the Japanese or Chinese with Pricing, Packaging or the stigma & reputation of former Communist times. With continuous debt left behind from the 'ZKL Bearings Australia Pty Ltd' company, becomes a challenge to prevent bankruptcy.
So if you have a 'Cashed-up' bearing business, survived the winter chills of the Northern hemisphere and the financial crisis, then many bargains are now on offer, but don't expect this to last.
25 February 2010Schaeffler's RBS Banker Reports Continuing Losses
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, which is 84% owned by the UK government after being bailed out, today reported a further loss of 3.6 billion pounds for 2009, topping up the loss of 24.3 billion pounds for 2008, a British corporate all time record loss.
CEO Stephen Hester citied improvements but promised a "hard slog" was ahead, and announced a further 2,300 job cuts.
However, RBS also booked impairment losses of 13.9 billion pounds for 2009, compared to 7.4 billion in 2008.
RBS states they already completed 70 percent of the planned balance sheet reduction. Hester said "loan impairments for 2010 will be a difficult year, with limited visibility of our end value."
The ball bearing producer Schaeffler borrowed heavily from 3 banks with the RBS leading the chase for the Continental Group and as previously reported, if the UK Government decides to rain in further corporate debt then Continental may breathe a little easier.
15 February 2010The Increasing Acceptance of Counterfeit Product
From published global polls on peoples attitude toward buying Counterfeit products, around 50% surveyed were in favour of purchasing 'fakes' than the genuine copyright article. And when gender difference is considered, the vast majority was females for that boutique 'Prada or Gucci' hand bag, silk shirt or 'Rolex' watch.
Although this is 'price driven' there is another excitement that paying at least 10 times less is a show of resentment or a slap in the face to IP manufacturers. So demand wins irrespective of quality, although copies or fakes are now considered OK compared to a few years ago.
The Bearing Industry has also become a victim of this same counterfeit mentality right under our very eyes with the least resistant or least talked about.
Without referring too much about the 'copy' SKF or Timken bearing produced in Asia or Italy, it's the 'copy' of Country of Origin that many bearing dealers are prepared to purchase. There is no difference between "Brand Counterfeiters" to that of "Country Counterfeiters" and both provide handsome rewards.
Innovation is not solely owned by a few blessed established companies with recognized standards and IP protection, but also by the many clever 'Young & Free' who are eager to give everything a go without the constraints of protocol.
And due to the proven increased demand for that 'copy', perhaps an Argument exists to work or cooperate with Counterfeiters of Brand or Country in the name of safety?
After all, the main bearing manufacturers SKF, Schaeffler, Japanese have all resisted any form of regulation whilst being guilty & convicted of Price Fixing.
14 February 2010More Counterfeit Bearings From Europe's Heartland
Counterfeit clutch release Bearings were caught up in the latest massive haul of counterfeit goods in recent years, and Italy's national retailers association say around 6.9bn euros (£6bn) of fake products are sold each year.
Counterfeit bearings from Italy have been a problem for the EU over a number of years. In 2007, BICC correspondence with Schaeffler's Lawyer Frau Bichelmeir-Bohn identified a producer of Counterfeit clutch bearings, however authorities hesitated to take action against the offenders. The BICC lacked funding to commence legal proceedings and Schaeffler Germany made no further comment.
13 February 2010 bbc-uk reports:-
"Among other elaborate scams in recent years has been the case of two Japanese businessmen who were stopped on a train carrying fake bonds worth 97bn euros.
Then there was the giant counterfeit olive oil deception. The batches were actually concoctions of sunflower oil mixed with industrial chlorophyll.
There have been calls for a counterfeit tsar to be appointed to stop the rackets which cost legitimate businesses so much.
But in a country where top class labels like Gucci, Bulgari and Armani are so common, stopping the trade is, in practical terms, highly unlikely, especially when so many buyers are eager to snap up fakes."
4 February 2010Ceramic Skate Bearings in Question
The original Skate bearing with ceramic balls has been marketed & used by both sporting & hobby enthusiasts for several years, obtaining high speeds with performance.
The Swiss firm who are making and distributing these ceramic bearings are no longer marking "Made in Switzerland" or "Switzerland" and a notable difference in design & with an increase in tolerance making the balls extra loose that acts against tight cornering during use. There are some ceramic types just use the word "Swiss" and allegations with intent to mislead, all appear very "shoddily" manufactured.<
One irate skater specifically asked 'Bones' the country of origin, but in three memos from them, the answer was avoided and ignored.
Replies from: www.skateone.com in response to emails sent to Bones' website inquiry (www.bonesbearings.com): further inflamed the situation stating that they are not interested in petty matters.
However, the BICC appreciates that Skate Riders are in the millions and command a better deal when purchasing replacements. Below are some photos sent in by Skaters.
Cartels Within the Bearing Industry on Watch 'Financial Review'
The number of tip-offs to the regulator about Cartels had significantly increased since tough new criminal cartel laws became operational, although criminal prosecutions relating to Cartels have declined.
'FW' claims the regulators had not received many calls in the past from parties who weren't involved in cartel conduct expressing complaints or concerns about cartels. But since the tightening of laws came into force, there had been "an increased awareness of cartels and as a result there are more complaints and tip-offs."
The Cartel laws include criminal sanctions of up to 10 years and jail for company executives with regulators keeping a watch on Chinese bearing manufacturers but not confined. EU & Japanese Bearing Manufacturers SKF, FAG, INA, SNR/NTN, NSK & KOYO were found guilty of cartel crime, convicted & fined 19.1 million euro by a French Court.
Clayton Utz global firm of lawyers partner Mr. Bruce Lloyd said many companies had conducted checks on Joint Ventures and activities that involved competitors, and people needed to be more careful than before because of the criminal consequences of breaching the laws, including jail time.
Many law firms have reshaped their practices in line with the new criminal laws, setting up crack squads and handing out calling cards to clients with emergency telephone numbers for experts available around the clock to provide advice in the event of a raid by regulators.
11 January 2010Schaeffler Facing Reverse Takeover by Continental Bankers
Although Schaeffler has the majority of 49.9% of the Continental Group, the 3 lending Banks led by the Royal Bank of Scotland (now in full control by the UK Government) will ultimately decide how the final breakup will appear on paper, and that may not happen till 2011 not good for corporate moral.
Maria Schaeffler's bold bid has not impressed pundits although Continental's current share price has made a north bound recovery leaving Maria only around half her debt from 6 months ago. Although at this level, Continental is still 5 to 6 times larger than Schaeffler leaving a huge gap, not only in refinancing but in creditability.
The recent announcement by Continental in fund-raising of billions more Euros to bolster their serious cash flow, places Maria in somewhat of a tricky position as Bankers are more reliant on Continental than Schaeffler. And if the UK government wants RBS to further improve liquidity, Continental will be too powerful for Maria leaving little choice for the lenders to ensure a Reverse takeover of Ball Bearing producer.
18 December 2009BearingNon Profit to Corporate Control Facelift
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct (BICC) is a robust and controversial Non-Profit organisation; setting Standards for Corporate self-Regulation, publishes news articles that are not designed for harm but to expose certain weaknesses within our important Industry.
The BICC prime objective is to raise our image as a 'Bearing Community' big or small without interfering in any bearing Intellectual Property (IP), this desired reflection is designed to stabilise and increase our floor pricing and where possible, avoiding any decline against like Industries.
Over the past 3 years, the BICC has increased its Internet viewing base 10 fold and is now read by approx 1,700 companies from over 70 countries each month. November 2009, the BICC attracted nearly 30,000 hits and although in the bigger picture this may be deemed small, we do not offer any buying or selling service or that of a glitzy movie site.
In 2010, the BICC having recognition from various groups including the SAE International USA, wants to investigate the merits of a Non-Profit group with small government subsidies, against that of a corporate group attracting Advertisers, Membership, Stakeholders or Subscription base information and Corporate governance service.
We take notice of the 'Electronic Industry Code of Conduct' (EICC) that was converted into a corporate group some years ago by 'Microsoft', has now a huge support base that successfully eliminated Counterfeiting, Price Fixing Cartels and installed a non sensitive self regulation control to keep the status quo. EICC membership is now so big they decided to close until reviewing its own regulations.
Therefore, we seek your views on changing our concept without upsetting our 'mould'. We will take it as a compliment if you want the BICC in the same format, or that of a forward thinker if you can understand our purpose for upgrading with a vibrant facelift.
We welcome your comments on: ian@bearingcode.com
16 December 2009Wind of Change Blows through Bearings Market
Wellingborough, UK, 10th December 2009. Bearing manufacturers will be keeping a keen eye on events unfolding at the UN's climate change summit in Copenhagen this month.
World leaders are expected to commit to a number of new measures aimed at reducing the planet's carbon emissions, providing a boost to the renewable energy sector, and in turn, the bearings industry.
The charge towards generating more of our energy from renewable sources has seen the wind turbine industry witness emphatic growth levels over recent years. Whilst the economic downturn and subsequent strangling of capital for new projects has slowed this growth somewhat, bearings manufacturers are expected to reap substantial rewards from this sector in the coming years.
Craig Foster, author of "The EMEA and Americas Markets for Bearings" study believes that producers of the spherical roller bearing - the main bearing type used in wind turbines - will be the biggest beneficiaries. "The spherical roller bearing market was estimated to be worth $2.1 billion in the EMEA and $714 million in the Americas in 2008. Whilst total sales of this bearing have fallen in 2009, sales of those used in wind turbines remained fairly steady.
Future growth of the spherical roller bearing market is expected to outstrip that of other bearings types as countries seek to fulfil their carbon reduction obligations and add more wind turbines to the electricity grid."
If you would like an interview with an expert in this area, please contact Chris George, Press Manager, at Chris.George@imsresearch.com or +44 1933 402255 or info@bearingcode.com
8 December 2009FBJ Bearings & Singapore Continue to Deceive Country of Origin
The BICC is carefully monitoring bearing manufacturers and dealers for deceptive or wrongful Acts against the interests of a 'level playing field' or that of the Consumer & Competition act 1974.
More recently, "FBJ Bearing" brand false marketing by their Singapore operations owned and controlled by 'International Bearings Ltd', and its ever increasing dominance in the Far East Asian, Australian & Russian markets.
After constant reminders to FBJ Singapore operators that 'they are acting against the Trade Act', FBJ continue on their merry way to deceive & distort bearing dealers and end users by not labeling "Made in CHINA" on FBJ Bearing or packaging. Just view their internet site.
When questioned, FBJ are very quick to reply the real 'Country of Origin' is JAPAN which in percentage terms gains them approx 200% more in both Income and Profitability. And whilst FBJ total sales are extremely small compared to major players, manufacturers such as SKF do nothing to assist the BICC to eliminate this illegal behavior.
6 December 2009The Subtle Art of Bearing Packaging
Bearing Labeling can alter from one manufacturer to another with little continuity, making it difficult in many cases to recognize the true identity from Country of production.
We have noticed during 2009 that "SKF Industries" adopted the BICC recommendations in marking all bearings including from their outsourced 'contractors' with the true 'Country of Origin' example of 'Made in Czech' by contractor ZKL Bearings to SKF.
On the other hand, there seems many Bearing Corporations including Schaeffler, Timken etc labeling 'Country of Origin' only when marketing acceptability is fashionable eg. Timken is hesitant to label 'Timken Made in Poland'
Whilst arguments with Lawyers from Switzerland's RKB Bearings and BICC into product identification, very little labeling of 'Country of Origin' to RKB bearing or boxes appears. However, the Swiss corporation internet site clearly identifies bearings produced in CHINA.
Then, the other end of the labeling scale eg. NKE, VISTA, UBC, FBJ all false and misleading.
18 November 2009SHUSTER USA and BICC Conciliate for Retraction
The Lawyers representing the Shuster Corporation and the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct have successfully conciliated with the following retraction Press Release.
"Shuster Corporation has been producing and importing bearings for approximately 20 years under the SHUSTER brand. Shuster Corporation produces, imports, and markets bearings from China, Italy, Japan, and Russia, in addition to bearings produced in the U.S. During this entire period, all bearings have been properly and accurately marked with their actual country of origin, part number, and brand name, as well as a serial identification to the date and facility of manufacture. Shuster Corporation complies with all applicable marking requirements for imported bearings, and has never intentionally mislabelled bearings with a false country of origin marking under any circumstances."
The BICC is pleased with Shuster's cooperation in this matter, and sets a precedent to other bearing companies to conciliate grievances.
9 November 2009Bearing Manufacturers Obligation to Dealer and End-User
The risks involved with bearing contraband supply chain particularly dealing in Counterfeit, relabeling or deceptive change from original country of origin, appear to becoming more prevalent in certain markets with little notice to the end-user.
Discussions & statements by some Bearing Manufacturers into Counterfeit control appear self styled to gain a marketing advantage, rather than tackling the issue collectively without either propping up themselves or that of a cartel looking group, avoiding any form of regulation.
A case involving the BICC and a disgruntled bearing corporation when challenged on the validity of country of origin and labelling, was advised of well documented legislation relating to the 'Consumer & Competition Trade 1974 act' that simply states: "Shall not mislead or deceive consumers in relation to products, or likely to mislead or deceive"
This legal obligation relating to the Bearing Industry largely applies in the latter wording; "or likely to mislead or deceive"
Another case in point involving the Austrian company 'NKE Bearings Steyr Austria'; they package bearings manufactured in India or China, their labelling clearly states "NKE Bearings Steyr Austria'. NKE maintain because their office & warehouse is located in Steyr Austria allows their re-boxed bearing to be so labelled, an obvious violation to the Trade act latter statement; "or likely to mislead or deceive"
This situation has set a 'bearing precedent' with several new so-called brands doing the same tricks without any knowledge or obligation to written Law designed to protect the unwitting end-user or consumer.
30 October 2009Outsourcing Bearing Production Cannot be Changed
The SAE International Group that has over 10,000 gazetted Standards, last month conducted a Committee meeting for the Outsourcing of Production for a 'Bearing Manufacturer' and the variation to what is described as a 'Brand of Bearing'
Extracts from this meeting states as follows :-
SAE AIRFRAME CONTROL BEARING GROUP
MONTRÉAL QUÉBEC, CANADA
22-24 September 2009
Bearing Industry Code of Conduct
Outsourcing of Production for Bearings
Jimmie Mathis - Chief Bearing Engineer, Committee Chairman of SAE ACBG
Outsourcing of work traditionally conducted by the bearing manufacturer is being considered for outsourcing at an increasing rate.
Currently accepted outsourced work includes rough machining, heat treating, and plating and we are facing new pressures to outsource.
A discussion to cover:
• What work is inherent in a bearing manufacturer?
• What can be outsourced?
• What defines a bearing manufacturer?
• What defines a bearing assembler?
• What defines a bearing importer?
The committee discussed the current requirements and that the committee was incorporating into the procurement standards critical requirements that cannot be changed.
Conclusion: Any variation to the above criteria is not acceptable and considered not conforming to specified Standards, including that of a Bearing Manufacturer.
25 October 2009Singapore Bearings a Touch of Spice
How the days of purchasing first quality bearings & other products at cheap prices from Singapore have fallen.
With rising wages and a great quality life style including that luxury vehicle, pays the ultimate competitive advantage Singapore was once famous for.
Only a decade ago you were treated to that traditional Singaporean 'food market' lunch or dinner, but nowadays the proper done thing is to be taken out to a very plush restaurant with expensive cuisine setup with all the trappings of heaven that the taste of food is so covered that its barely recognisable.
But in reality, Singapore is now only bearing competitive with brands coming from China in disguise of a non 'Country of Origin' albeit 'false Origin' to pay for that extravagant gourmet dinner.
Bearing brands such as FBJ from China without the words 'CHINA' in fact if you Google the website with its superb graphics & design there's CHINA nowhere to be seen.
Singapore for Bearing Manufacturers was the perfect centre point for servicing the Far East surrounding Countries, but those expenses equivalent to any other OECD country is no longer the cheaper option.
However, for Singapore bearing traders who could never rely on its own soil to sell product, must add high margins to survive an overly competitive market place throughout the Asian region with at times, inferior quality product.
22 October 2009Split Spherical Bearings Sign of the Future
Recent press releases about 'Split' Bearings have stimulated hi-tech discussions especially from the Mining Industry, including Germanys SANDVIK Equipment GmbH.
From well applied Cooper Split Cylindrical Roller Bearings, now other EU manufacturers FAG and ZKL are producing the Split Spherical Roller Bearings for critical applications in various sizes, both standard & non standard mostly for large Excavators.
This is a big breakthrough for maintenance scheduling and breakdowns as down time could be now a thing of the past.
The Czech bearing manufacturer ZKL goes one step further, they now produce apart from Split Sphericals & Cylindricals, the Split Ball Bearing covering a complete range for low cost maintenance and breakdown procedures.
The ability to Split any bearing contains a degree of engineering difficulty, the secret being the containment of loss of material during separation. There are many forms of a split, from a 'frozen' situation then a fine line crack or the more popular but expensive use of high frequency electrolyses.
Congratulations to those bearing manufacturers from Europe, it would appear a new generation of bearing design is now a reality and gaining popularity in Industry.
Comments invited.
14 October 2009Another Attempt to Gloss Over Bearing Cartel
In the latest series of round robin Cronyism displayed by both SKF's Tom Johnstone and Schaeffler's Jürgen Geißinger, emerges another attempt by these convicted 'Price Fixers' to create a platform known as 'World Bearing Association' (WBA).
With membership dominated by SKF, Schaeffler and the Japanese, all found guilty of criminal activity from fixing prices, illegal Cartels and the fake spread of so-called counterfeit bearings to excite the public into believing their bearing brands are the only true non spurious product, comes today from the same management teams that were found guilty by a European Union Court of Law and fined a total of 19.1 Million Euros.
This so-called WBA 'cartel' contains no Transparency, Corporate Governance, Membership Register, Legal identification, Website, Contacts, Articles of Association, Rules & Regulations, By-Laws, yet they boast a fourth annual meeting in Tokyo.
To further muddy the waters, the European Bearing Manufacturers Association (FEBMA) is defunct, the Japanese Bearing Industrial Association (JBIA) has never apologised for its role in their 'Price fixing' Conviction and the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) is dominated by SKF, Schaeffler = 20 & Japanese !
And where's the legitimate 'Code of Conduct' independent forum, away from these corrupt, illegally convicted Corporations?
5 October 2009Beware More Brands Making False Country of Origin
There are more Bearing brands coming on the Global market making claims of false Country of Origin to bolster their image by deceiving the Consumer and End User.
NKE Bearings Steyr Austria one creator of this phenomenon caused by a lack of transparency, took advantage by purchasing Chinese & Indian bearings then simply relabeling and placing product into a new glossy box marked "Austria" – No great engineering expertise, just simply fraud.
Today, we see a whole new breed of bearing brands doing exactly the same as NKE.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct will from time to time, depending on the volume of complaints, expose these fraudulent brand operators from your cooperation via our 'Whistleblower' link. The following table is the more notable offender.
| Brand | Country Claim | Original Country of Manufacture |
|---|---|---|
| NKE | AUSTRIA EU | INDIA & CHINA |
| FBJ | JAPAN | CHINA |
| IBC | GERMANY | TAIWAN |
| VISTA | USA | CHINA |
| UBC | USA | CHINA |
| SHUSTER | USA | CHINA |
SAE Airframe Control Bearing Conference in Canada
The SAE-ACBG Bearing Conference will commence 22nd September 2009 for 3 days in MONTRÉAL QUÉBEC with most USA bearing manufacturers attending at the beautiful:-
'Le Centre Sheraton Montreal'
1201 Boulevard Rene-Levesque West
Montreal, QC H3B 2L7, Canada (514) 878-2000
(www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton)
The Agenda consists of regular aviation bearing issues & referrals including matters relating to the 'Bearing Industry Code of Conduct' presented by BOEING's Engineer Mr Jimmie Mathis
Jimmie Mathis will open with the recent global press release by SKF's CEO Tom Johnstone into another 'Fake' Counterfeit 30 ton bearing claim in Czech, and the fallout by releasing unfounded news articles to bolster SKF sales (1) at the expense to the Industry (2) to falsely induce fear to all critical application sections including Aerospace
For all questions about the Agenda, please call Brian at US Navy (301) 342-9378
4 September 2009Claims and Allegations Made to BICC
We appreciate your feedback, suggestions and certain claims about our Bearing Industry.
Our 'Hotline' service is a forum for Transparency to investigate allegations of corrupt activity from the manufacturer, distributor or any individual. This service is Government backed although not mandatory, and sometimes your allegations are passed onto the appropriate legal authorities.
We request when making your allegation to leave an email address for further questioning in relation to your claim. We do not require your name, just a contact number, please.
29 August 2009Sweden's SKF brushes off French Criticism
The world's biggest ball-bearing maker, SKF of Sweden, said it will press ahead with plans to close a factory in western France despite a leading local politician taking out a full-page advertisement in Britain's Financial Times to criticise the move stating 'SKF to cut 900 jobs'
Philippe de Villiers, the president of the General Council of the Vendee region, hit out at SKF chief executive Tom Johnstone, slamming the decision to close the factory in the town of Fontenay-le-Comte "without any warning" as "profoundly inhuman and immoral."
The President of the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct, Mr Ian McPherson also a former Politician, strongly criticised SKF & Tom Johnstone. After meeting the French Party and reminding them that Sweden's SKF had ripped-off billions of Euros from the French Government and French Industries via their criminal Price Fixing Cartel.
Mr De Villiers angrily stated SKF was "sacrificing without the slightest scruple the livelihood of employees."
However, Mr McPherson's comments were based not only on moral or ethical grounds, but more on opening up the legal system of extortion behind SKF Sweden's attitude towards the Judiciary of Europe.
McPherson added "SKF's French Cartel conviction slaps in the face of hypocrisy from reading comments by SKF Vice President Ingalill Oestman, One would think that SKF has real high moral ground towards people"
21 August 2009ZKL Group and Brno Trade Fair 2009 in Czech
The 51st Trade Exhibition in Czech Republic 'Brno Engineering Fair' commencing 14th to 18th September 2009, has attracted a record number of International Exhibitors both European & Globally with more than 1500 displays.
- Mining, metallurgical, foundering, ceramic and glass engineering
- Materials and components for mechanical engineering
- Drives, hydraulics and pneumatics, cooling technology and air-conditioning
- Plastics, rubber technology and chemical industry
- Metal-working and forming machines, tools, surface finish, thermal treatment, welding machines
- Power engineering and heavy-current electrical engineering
- Electronics, automation and measuring technology
- Ecological technology
- Research, services, institutions
Registrations can be made from the events site: www.bw.cz
At last year's Exhibition, ZKL Bearing Group won 'Gold Medal' status for innovation and design and has a huge R&D centre on display at this year's event.
In conjunction with the Fair and by invitation, ZKL Bearings will conduct factory tours to visit their 'state of the art' new technology facilities.
12 August 2009Same Old Counterfeit Bearings by Same Counterfeiters
From our BICC News article 27 June 2009 "China Made in India Counterfeits Hit the Market" and today's press release by Bruce Carr's www.ebearing.com"India's Counterfeit Bearing Problem Builds" - highlights yet another sad act of 'I told you so'
Counterfeiting as we know it, is an old act perfected by the Chinese, albeit Japanese until recent times.
And if an Industry is serious to rid of 'Counterfeit infection', then it can simply self regulate quick & easy, just ask the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct www.eicc.info
India is not the only country riddled with illegal Bearing activity, although it attracts many business opportunities for those entrepreneurial bearing badges like NKE Bearing Steyr Austria that makes a 'killing' by buying unbranded bearings from India & China, ending up on the Consumer 'dinner table' labelled Made in Austria.
Then Sweden's SKF Industries and Germany's Schaeffler Group convicted of 'Price Fixing Cartel' with Japan's NSK, KOYO & SNR/NTN, what a great example to set before the global Bearing Industry.
Finally, the SKF & Schaeffler false claim to 40 tons of the infamous Counterfeit capture in Germany and more recently another miracle of 30 tons of Counterfeit bearing seizure by SKF in Czech Republic. What fools we are.
The likes of SKF and others who complain but do absolutely nothing in fear of market tolerance, have little scruples when seeking government assistance unless some kind of regulate - but not cartel.
1 August 2009Singapore Regional Centre for Intellectual Property Disputes
From the UN WIPO headquarters, Geneva
Asia's first centre for dealing with disputes related to intellectual property including trademarks, copyright and patent issues will open in Singapore, the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) reported today.
An agreement signed by WIPO and the Singaporean Government will pave the way for training and advice on procedures and provide a dedicated dispute resolution facility in the region, according to a joint communiqué.
The new centre is designed to complement the mediation work carried out by WIPO's Geneva office, which was set up in 1994 and has handled a caseload of over 30,000 disputes since then with the amounts in dispute ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Any parties may avail themselves of the dispute resolution procedures offered by the centre, regardless of nationality or domicile. They may be held anywhere in the world, in any language and under any law chosen by the parties.
"WIPO's expertise in arbitration and mediation will be applied to the specific needs of the film sector," said Francis Gurry, Director-General of WIPO. "This will dovetail with our efforts to achieve a conducive environment for the creation, anchoring and exploitation of media assets and intellectual property," he added.
Given the rapidly expanding needs of the Asian film industry and corporate and technology sectors, Singapore's role as an arbitration and legal hub for the intellectual property field made it an optimal location for this initiative, WIPO noted.
Of the many disputes submitted to the centre, disputes over registration of domain names constitute a large proportion of cases. WIPO is venturing into new territory in exploring what may constitute copyright infringement in the age of social networking, holding workshops and maintaining discussion boards on such vexing issues as whether "tweeting" is protected by copyright.
17 July 2009SKF and SCHAEFFLER Cartel Apology Rejected
From numerous requests by Industry groups calling on SKF and SCHAEFFLER for a public apology into their Price Fixing Cartel conviction, both Boards have arrogantly rejected requests and will not even consider an apology on agenda.
However, until SKF and Schaeffler apologise for their crimes then both corporations will be a constant target for further ridicule.
One of the key threads of criminal cartel law is that INTENT is a key sign of criminal behaviour.
Cartels are set up to either fix prices, restrict production or supply, divide up customers or turf or to rig bids, in tenders, for example. Some are single purpose, others are multi-purpose.
It is important to note: Serious cartels such as SKF and SCHAEFFLER's, ones that cause (or could cause) large-scale or serious economic harm, with the seriousness depending on factors including the cartel's longevity, its effect on the market, the public and customers, and the existence or otherwise of Previous Cartel Offences. Directors of these Corporations now face Jail terms of 10 Years.
The German and Czech counterfeit bearing claim of 40 ton & 30 tons as stated by SKF's Mr Tom Johnstone is considered fake & corrupt, and could fall into another Cartel situation for these two Bearing manufacturers
10 July 2009SKF in Damage Control Over Law Suit
The Russian Corporation 'Uralvagonzavod' intends to seek damages from SKF due to downtime
Interfax-Ural - OAO Uralvagonzavod (UVZ, Nizhny Tagil, Sverdlovsk region) plans to make compensation for losses due to downtime from SKF, for bearings supplied to the company as told by director, Oleg Sienko UVZ at a press conference on Thursday in Nizhny Tagil .
"SKF has outraged our facility for the faulty supply of bearings, without which we cannot produce our machinery. Today, legal services and those companies that work with us, (preparing a lawsuit - IF), which should compensate for our losses as a result of these actions," - he said.
As explained by the agency Interfax-Ural Advisor UVZ director for external relations Mr Eugene Rosca said 2 weeks ago in the machine-building enterprise a batch of two thousand incomplete SKF bearings, could not be used when building our front line vehicles. Because of this, the vagonosborochnom production was forced to stop for 2 days. "We turned to SKF who ignored us in this most critical stage of our production, we are furious"
OAO Uralvagonzavod has advised that legal action against SKF would be conducted both in Russia and EU Courts.
SKF Industries refused to comment.
10 July 2009SKF in Damage Control Over Law Suit
The Russian Corporation 'Uralvagonzavod' intends to seek damages from SKF due to downtime
Interfax-Ural - OAO Uralvagonzavod (UVZ, Nizhny Tagil, Sverdlovsk region) plans to make compensation for losses due to downtime from SKF, for bearings supplied to the company as told by director, Oleg Sienko UVZ at a press conference on Thursday in Nizhny Tagil .
"SKF has outraged our facility for the faulty supply of bearings, without which we cannot produce our machinery. Today, legal services and those companies that work with us, (preparing a lawsuit - IF), which should compensate for our losses as a result of these actions," - he said.
As explained by the agency Interfax-Ural Advisor UVZ director for external relations Mr Eugene Rosca said 2 weeks ago in the machine-building enterprise a batch of two thousand incomplete SKF bearings, could not be used when building our front line vehicles. Because of this, the vagonosborochnom production was forced to stop for 2 days. "We turned to SKF who ignored us in this most critical stage of our production, we are furious"
OAO Uralvagonzavod has advised that legal action against SKF would be conducted both in Russia and EU Courts.
SKF Industries refused to comment.
27 June 2009Chinese "Made in India" Counterfeits Hit the Market
Indian Investigating officers are baffled by the huge influx of counterfeit/spurious Chinese products entering the market place with "Made in India"
Popular brands are the ones which are falling prey to such violation of intellectual property rights, say industry sources.
Last Thursday, Chennai Port Customs had seized lakh Chinese-made spark plugs with "India" tag and Mico seal. The contraband imported by a Chennai-based trader, Krishna Trading Company and came from China's Ningbo Port through Leos International Trading Company, a Hong Kong-based supplier. Name and Shame acts as a deterrent.
However, the same Investigating officers offered no comment to the allegations of Indian manufactured bearings exported to Europe labeled "NKE BEARINGS STEYR AUSTRIA" although ordered and paid by the Austrian NKE company
23 June 2009SKF Industries Investigated Over Counterfeit Seizure
From SKF global news 11 June 2009, Mr. Tom Johnstone CEO SKF Industries reported serious claims of police seizing 30 tons of Counterfeit bearings against the Czech Republic; similar to Germany's counterfeit fiasco 2 years ago orchestrated by SKF lawyer Bichelmeir-Böhn, Kanzlei.FSR.
In January 2007, SKF collaborating with Schaeffler made series of allegations into 40 tons of Counterfeit Bearings known as the 'Schweinfurt Catch' but later forensic reporting a fraudulent media mislead, with police charges pending against SKF & Co.
Only this time Mr. Johnstone casts a credibility question mark over the entire Czech Republic with investigators recommending a move into the EU Parliament.
Investigations now report Mr. Johnstone's Counterfeit bearing seizure suggest:-
No Czech Police
No Police charges
No Forensic test
No counterfeit comparison
No bearing sizes
No quantities or series
No name distributor
No name people
No name Czech city
No court hearing
No authorized raid
No Civil proceedings against Copyright
No independent Press verification
REPEAT OFFENCE: - similar situation 2 years ago by Mr. Johnstone/SKF/Schaeffler.
RECOMMENDATION:-
1.
A Czech public prosecutor or police investigator officially be appointed to confirm or deny Mr. Johnstone's allegation with powers to
prosecute.
2.
Interim report be filed to Government departments in CZECH, SWEDEN and EU Parliaments.
3.
To take further submissions of prior convictions 'SKF Price Fixing Cartel' into consideration.
Replies directed to: - info@bearingcode.com
Ian McPherson - President
Bearing Industry Code of Conduct
www.bearingcode.com
Schaeffler/Continental Novel Way to No Pay
Schaeffler/Continental or Continental/Schaeffler Group, depending on which Bank has the most at stake, announced Friday 19 June a new novel way of raising funds to meet credit covenants.
Postpone their German workers salaries till early July !
A Schaeffler/Continental spokeswoman confirmed this report 'This gives us some leeway,' she said adding that it will ensure enough cash on hand to meet debt legal binding agreements.
The Creditor banks take a snapshot of its financial condition at the end of June 2009 to see whether it fulfils borrowing conditions. However more grim news, Management braced shareholders that its multi billion € Euro Syndicated credit line, in particular the monthly billion € Interest repayments to bankers continued to cause it headaches.
Chief Executive Karl-Thomas Neumann said that held to the renegotiated covenant limits agreed upon only in January would be a major challenge for the remainder of the year.
The only consoling position for Schaeffler/Continental Group, the German Worker Unions are dormant at least for the moment.
19 June 2009URB Romania
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has received a request from the Romanian Government appointed "Insolvency Justice and Collector" to sell all or part thereof the whole & every plant, equipment including property rights known as 'URB Bearings Made in Romania' as a total or separate identity.
The known Turkish corporation and part ownership invested funding into three various institutions in and around the Romanian bearing plants, has either absconded or unable to keep this URB enterprise viable.
With an order intake book of near zero, the Romanian government on instructions from senior authorities in Europe has requested immediate sell-off or face closure forthwith, there's no further money available to this low technology old fashioned designed ball bearing facility.
15 June 2009Suspect SKF Counterfeit Bearing Claim Closely Investigated
A serious claim has been made by Tom Johnstone CEO SKF Industries into a 30 ton Counterfeit bearing seize in the Czech Republic.
Mr. Johnstone claims Counterfeit SKF & other bearing Brands were found and are cooperating with Czech police. No further details can be verified.
In 2007, SKF in cooperation with Schaeffler made similar claims of 40 tons of counterfeit bearings seized outside Germany's Schweinfurt area but this was later proven false with Mr. Johnstone/SKF currently facing court proceedings for Deception & Wrongful act of Fraud - Known as the 'Schweinfurt Catch'
SKF reasons are pure marketing that scares industries into buying their product and by using the media to gain free advertising.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct will again investigate these allegations and will test the DNA on rings, rolling elements, cages & packaging and request a Police report and prosecution.
11 June 2009China Bearing News Continues to Violate Copyright
Whilst the Chinese Government pledges to the International community to fight and eliminate Copyright infringement within its borders, the China Bearing News Agency 'CBCC' blatantly violates this direction with impunity.
Intellectual Property is always guarded and treasured by their owners and recognized globally by common law with violators taken to Court for prosecution facing jail sentences.
The China Bearing News steals articles from various institutions, prints as originals with no reference to the IP owners. For example, the news article written by 'ebearing.com' about "SKF Deal With Ferrari Includes KERS" was cut & pasted to China Bearing News within 10 minutes.
Mr. Bruce Carr, President of ebearing.com clearly states to every news article "copyright 2000 ebearing Inc" adding "Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited", but this has absolutely no effect on CBCC who continue to act outside its own Government directions.
9 June 2009TIMKEN Responds to Non Compliance
From our news item dated 1 June 2009 re 'Consumer Marking Compliance', the BICC has received a response letter from TIMKEN Singapore suggesting some clarification maybe needed.
The letter advises that TIMKEN manufacture bearings from their own factories in more than16 countries globally with the aim to produce closest to regions with the highest demand.
TIMKEN also advises that due to certain legal and administrative requirements in some countries, there are ONLY some products where the country of origin is not marked on the bearing.
However, the BICC has been further advised that due to certain legislation relating to the Consumer Act especially those in England & Australia with other countries following, TIMKEN may review their current policy in line with SKF detailing full disclosure to all Country of Origin bearing manufacturing.
8 June 2009NKE Counterfeits Again in Ningbo China
From last year's false Country of Origin declaration by NKE Austria with taper roller bearings produced by several bearing manufacturers in Rajkot City of Gujarat, India but stamped Steyr Austria, comes another absurd case of Counterfeiting by the NKE 'finisher'
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct last month investigated claims of further NKE counterfeit country of origin this time from Ningbo China. Two medium size Ningbo manufacturers admitted producing Spherical rollers for NKE but refused photos for legal reasons.
These Chinese manufacturers explained that NKE purchase their products on a regular contract basis with no country of origin on the rings, however they package with labels marked "NKE Bearings Steyr Austria". Yet another consumer & competition act violation.
1 June 2009Only Two Bearing Manufacturers with Consumer Marking Compliance to BICC Recommendations
From a detailed study into bearing manufacturers requirement for markings that identifies Country of Origin, Part Number and Brand to both Ring and Boxes, only two global producers made this compliance SKF Industries & ZKL Bearing Group.
From global corporations, Schaeffler was an obvious offender although many Sphericals were found marked 'Made in China', whilst many sizes gave no mention to the Country.
However, the Timken Corporation avoided stamping the Country of Origin where possible, preferring to mark with their internal coding to identify the Country, giving very little choice to the Consumer for selection and via the United Kingdom's 'miles' method.
21 May 2009Schaeffler's New Management New Image
From the brink of bankruptcy, Schaeffler's banks assisted new management board has adopted a more harmonious approach to the business community and unions.
Coupled with bankers intervention lending a further Billion euros and governments cash injection to the Auto Industry in general, has given breathing space to the bearing manufacturer or a least until the next round. Conti share price has improved as a result of the current Boards decisions.
The management board says the settled conflict with unions over the plant closure in Hannover-stoecken has a stabilizing effect in corporate operations and can now concentrate in reaching the strict guidelines as required by the Banks.
However, after many public demonstrations from Ms. Maria Schaeffler claiming violation of rights and lack of sympathy to her renowned greedy cause in the takeover of Continental Group 5 times larger than her own, may not be viewed in high esteem come end of 2009.
4 May 2009Bearing Complaints Substantiated
Several weeks ago, the BICC received complaints against Chinese bearing manufacturers 'UBC' and 'VISTA' labeling boxes & packaging with the printed word "USA", suggesting misleading conduct and deception to Consumers & Competition relating to the 'Country of Origin'.
These matters were thoroughly investigated notifying both 'UBC' and 'VISTA' to reply to these allegations; both Brands refused numerous requests or to appoint an independent arbitrator.
Upon viewing several packets, we now advise the 'UBC' brand has a glossy red black & white box with "USA" clearly marked. The 'VISTA' brand has a glossy gold box also with "USA" clearly marked.
Both 'UBC' and 'VISTA' brands make no reference to CHINA.
27 April 2009Government Code Adoption for Bearing Industry
To eliminate any doubt or misapprehension by bearing companies relating to an Industry Code of Conduct, the following extract is taken from the government Consumer & Competition guidelines into procedure and explanations for the Bearing Code.
Although most Government requirements are already written in our web-pages, kindly take a few minutes to read the official statuary recommendations.
"Quote:-
Why are Codes of Conduct becoming more and more prevalent?
Codes of Conduct can affect your business just as much as laws that have been passed by various parliaments. Codes are part of a series of regulatory reforms designed to improve compliance as well as reduce costs to Government and business. At the same time regulators are being asked to "do more with less".
Codes of Conduct are created as a compromise between Governments' reluctance to impose detailed legislative regulation on industries that were changing and not having any regulation at all. Governments now consider industry self-regulation as a prime regulatory option. In fact, by 2008 a staggering total of 3,000,000 codes of practice were identified.
Whilst it is possible for consumers and regulators to take individual action against companies to enforce the law, court actions always take time and are costly. Even when the law is clear, its actual application depends on the facts. Lawmakers are reluctant to prescribe detailed procedures and industry always resists such prescription.
So the view of Governments and regulators was that if an industry could develop a code which met certain criteria, they would be satisfied. Codes of conduct are not necessarily the same as codes of best practice.
What is a Code?
A code originally meant a complete collection of laws on a single topic avoiding inconsistency and overlapping.
It's important to distinguish voluntary codes from legislative codes and mandatory codes.
Mandatory Codes, this is usually because self-regulation in certain industry-wide issues does not work. A legislative code is actually a law. Voluntary codes of conduct typically make provision for minimum standards of performance of conduct while leaving to the regulated party discretion as to how that standard will be achieved.
It is therefore possible for a number of businesses to comply with their relevant code of conduct but do it in different ways. Industry specific codes allow variations and competition within an industry in a way that prescriptive legislation could not. That is why codes of conduct are often called codes of practice.
Codes are now so well accepted as a form of regulation.
What is the legal effect of a voluntary Code?
The legal effect depends on whether it is expressed merely as a set of principles or whether it is intended to be contractually binding on a party that accepts it.
Essential elements of codes of conduct
• Objectives of the code need to reflect specific stakeholder/business concerns;
• Ensure that the framework and language is clear to all stakeholders
• Set out the rules in the code that address common complaints and concerns about industry practices
• Establish a code administration committee and its functions in the code
• Include provisions for a complaints handling scheme.
• Incorporate in the code commercially significant sanctions for breaches of the code
• Provide for an independent review mechanism for when a complainant is dissatisfied with an outcome
• Incorporate mechanisms in the code that ensure consumer awareness
• Incorporate mechanisms in the code that ensure industry awareness
• Include provisions for relevant data collection
• Specify a regular review process of the code
• Avoid anti-competitive implications in the code
• If anti-competitive implications are unavoidable seek authorization
• Incorporate performance indicators in the code
Distinction between authorization and endorsement
To authorize anti-competitive implications in a code eg exclusive dealing, except where it involves misuse of market power.
Assist industry to go well beyond a legal compliance with the Act and to create an industry with best practice and endorsed.
When codes reflect best practice, it will lead to competitive advantage.
24 April 2009Bearing News Articles Piracy
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct maintains its news service by providing original journal material and writes the subject matter in a meaningful & controversial manner, whether accepted by readers or not. Our Intellectual Property research and content does not come from another internet site nor does plagiarism used unless accreditation is given.
We only permit our regular news items to be reproduced if proper accreditation is fairly acknowledged.
The only other known dedicated bearing news service having a similar IP policy is 'www.ebearing.com'
Copyright for 'bearingcode.com' and that of 'ebearing.com' must and should be protected from various types of Piracy.
Many of these news articles are copied to the Chinese bearing internet site without authorization or accreditation, thereby interfering with IP copyright. This has a familiar connotation.
21 April 2009Six Sigma Is Nonsense to Bearing Industry
The "Six Sigma" was originally developed as a set of practices designed to improve manufacturing processes and eliminate defects, but its application was subsequently extended to other types of business processes as well. In Six Sigma, a defect is defined as anything that could lead to customer dissatisfaction.
The particulars of the methodology were first formulated by Bill Smith at Motorola in 1986. Six Sigma was heavily inspired by six preceding decades of quality improvement methodologies such as quality control, TQM, and Zero Defects, based on the work of pioneers such as Shewhart, Deming, Juran, Ishikawa, Taguchi and others.
However, in study and research over the past months by the 'Bearing Industry Code of Conduct' and fellow politicians, this Six Sigma contains no direction or policy to given common Legislation and Community welfare thereby masking attempts by their managing positions more valuable, and grossly elite. Now executives are encouraged to take courses by marketing consultants, all in the name of making Dollars/Euros/Fairyland funds.
How CEO's can invent & manipulate to justify and rewarded by shareholders continues, who, what & why created the web of misleading information to experience the current financial crisis for example?
Are we to believe this pioneering customer dissatisfaction has a criterion? Although this sounds, looks, new words, big promises more to come, believe me, blow in my ear and I will follow you anywhere really means to the community?
Whilst certain CEO's in the Bearing Industry eg. SKF have obtained 'Six Sigma', it does not assist in Corporate Governance, Transparency and Self Regulation.
Concluding evidence, SKF and Schaeffler's obtained criminal convictions by the same management & CEO's currently employed.
10 April 2009Self-Regulation Myth Bearings to Face the Truth
The global Trade Practices Act 1974 says a company "shall not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive".
So much for Self -Regulation to monitor the above mythical act when the Bearing Industry is led by global manufacturers found guilty of gross deceit. It's another matter when the same corporations are awarded recognition for good Social Responsibility by Sweden's 'Hallvarsson' to SKF Industries, making Hallvarsson also misleading and declining to face the truth.
Yes, serious questions need to be asked about the self-regulatory system, when corporations are found guilty of a serious crime on one hand but rewarded by their state on the other.
Another example is the increasing amount of so-called 'Bearing Manufacturers' on the global market making outrageous claims to fame. In the matter of NKE Austria and others involved with misleading & deceptive conduct includes a Belgium bearing manufacturer labeling product from Romania 'Made in Belgium', a German company buying bearings from Taiwan with labels 'Made in Germany. And others the BICC are investigating.
The Consumer & Competition Chairman, Graeme Samuel yesterday let rip "Forgive me, but you don't need to be informed. The law is very clear. You shall not mislead or deceive consumers in relation to your products." said Samuel. "it's pretty easy law and I'm just surprised that the self regulatory system… doesn't yet understand after 35 years what the words misleading and deceptive means"
4 April 2009SAE International Group Meeting for Outsourcing of Bearing Production
The meeting set down 28-30 April 2009 Las Vegas USA by the SAE International in conjunction with the Airframe Control Bearing Group (ACBG) including various global Bearing Manufacturers, will discuss Standards to control Counterfeit Bearing Parts.
Currently, bearing manufacturers accepted outsourced work includes rough machining, heat treatment, and plating are now facing new pressures. Therefore this important global 'milestone' meeting, discussions will cover:
What work is inherent in a bearing manufacturer ?
What can be outsourced ?
What defines a bearing manufacturer ?
What defines a bearing assembler ?
What defines a bearing importer ?
All Bearing Manufacturers and other interested parties aligned to the Bearing Industry are welcome to attend and put forward submissions into making this controversial topic an appropriate SAE International Standard.
The Chairman for this meeting will be Mr. Jimmie Mathis, senior bearing engineer,
BOEING Corporation Seattle, Washington USA.
Prior written submissions are directed to: jimmie.l.mathis@boeing.com
Further details can be obtained from:
Keely Andrews
Europe Standards Administrator
SAE Aerospace Standards Europe
1 York Street, London, W1U 6PA United Kingdom
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Fax: +44 (0) 20 7034 1257
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www.bearingcode.com
BICC Adopts Consumer & Industry Affairs Guidelines
According to guidelines recommended by Consumer & Industry groups, the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has installed two new services to assist in the reporting of transparency and compliance to corporate governance.
Firstly, a 'Whistleblowing' Hotline page is added to the BICC internet site. This service provides a legal and accountable right to every individual, executive or group, current or former member of any organization, company or business institution. The full definition of 'Whistleblowing' can be read from Google pages.
Secondly, the BICC has now a SKYPE service either with or without camera according to the caller's wishes to remain anonymous. This is a free service and quick response for agitating concerns. The SKYPE details are listed on our 'Contact' and 'Whistleblowing' web pages.
24 March 2009Bearing Corporate Responsibility Under Microscope
Many different industries are now setting standards to Bearing companies for compliance with ethical guidelines, materials and on environmental issues.
These contracts require a declaration from Bearing companies for proper corporate social responsibility and obligation to common law that ensures ethical behavior and credible conduct.
Bearing manufacturers accountability to this compliance is rigid and without challenge for variation, in other words all sections of the Bearing Industry are under the microscope for maximum corporate governance.
The BICC President Ian McPherson states: "The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct provides this necessary governance for compliance including that of whistleblower" adding, the failure to sign these Industry contracts or the violation of compliance will automatically cancel the right to supply".
20 March 2009NKE Packaging Disguises Counterfeit Product
NKE brand or should be 'NKE packaging' and their Directors are Europe's biggest Counterfeiter.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has reported in various news updates how NKE from Steyr Austria re-labels, re-badges, falsifies bearings by purchasing from India, China, old surplus stock and from various 3rd world countries then packaged into glossy boxes printed :- "NKE BEARINGS STEYR AUSTRIA"
NKE has rooted the bearing system and managed to gain support by unscrupulous bearing dealers who claim to the consumer that NKE bearings are made in Austria Europe stating "NKE Premium quality as good as SKF"
Having exposed NKE activities with hard evidence, NKE has every legal right to prosecute if they are maligned by the 'Bearing Industry Code of Conduct' and its management for writing defamatory articles, including this one. And we are still waiting.
If you stock, buy or sell NKE packaging type counterfeit bearings then you're contributing to one of the worst type of deception, namely Counterfeit fraud.
16 March 2009Schaeffler-SKF Counterfeit Lawyer Finally Found
Further investigations into the Schaeffler-SKF fake counterfeit catch continue to uncover more outrageous claims.
The lawyer acting for Schaeffler & SKF claims the directors of BATUCOM Kugellager GdbR Erlangen Germany were the "criminals" having imported more than 40 tonnes of spurious bearings into Europe. However, it appears BATUCOM knows nothing and documents suggest very little importation of bearings were ever made nor any legal charges against company directors.
It's like a sequence from 'Hogans Heroes' when Sgt. Schultz says: "I know nothing"
Strangely, this same Schaeffler/SKF lawyer has somewhat gone into hiding and was revealed last week to be professionally employed with Kanzlei.FSR in Erlangen the same location in Germany as the accused, what a coincidence.
12 March 2009How Amazing Bearing Boxes Brings Big Bucks
Have you ever heard the saying "A picture means a thousand words" ?
This is how 'NKE Bearings Steyr Austria' manufacture product.
NKE AUSTRIA buys bearing product from 3rd world country.....
NKE AUSTRIA change boxes & wipes clean to sell his...
Note the packaging states “NKE Steyr Austria" Bearings have no country of Origin or Branding
Re-Labelled Bearings are Owner Onus to All Dealers
As with all counterfeit or re-labelled products, the legal obligation extends throughout the total chain of distribution.
In other words, bearing distributors big or small marketing fake or re-labelled bearings are jointly and severally involved with their producers in legal proceedings.
A case in point:
(1) NKE Steyr Austria have bearings made in India and China re-labelled then sold to distributors for consumer resale in high gloss packaging with the spin 'Made in Austria' first premium product.
(2) NKE Steyr Austria claim to manufacture bearings for planetary gears in wind turbine gearboxes, railway traction motor bearings and special types for world pump producers. All these bearings are imported from India and China packaged 'NKE Bearings Steyr Austria'
In these scenarios, the Re-labeller 'NKE' together with the distributor supplying to producers of wind turbine gearboxes, traction motors and Pumps could become jointly involved with any class action should the consumer with or without warranty decides to prosecute.
1 March 2009Beware of Wash-up Involving Bankruptcy
It is interesting to note comments about the recent downfall of corporate institutions and their highflying executives.
These failed executives all have a common thread known as greed, made from their devious schemes to extract funding by foul and fraudulent means. These schemes become more apparent close to their final demise and appear in all newspapers.
However, criminal charges involving heavy jail sentences are inevitable to these highfliers for the sake of public scrutiny and in the name of Law.
The latest scheme coming from the Schaeffler family to avoid the inevitable loss of control, caused by the exact same greed, may involve criminal charges especially having prior convictions of 'Price fixing cartel' with their collaborator SKF and further allegations of counterfeit deception simply known as fraud.
And in the wash-up all executives from these companies are put on notice to provide statements or subpoenaed to Court during all Bankruptcy hearings.
21 February 2009Why German Governments Should Donate to Schaeffler
There are many authentic reasons why working class people without jobs should claim social benefits from Western Governments in particular that of Germany.
Photos taken last week of Maria Schaeffler (www.zimbio.com/ Maria Schaeffler. or Google) at a 'Audi' socialite function in the Austrian Alps, bearing her 85,000 euro mink fur coat obviously having a bad hair day.
Understandably, Maria looks quite concerned and worried at the prospect of going bankrupt but as we know the German state and federal governments will donate free of charge her social benefit 4.3 Billion euro bailout.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct dares to suggest that an alternative to government spending can be arranged :- Banks appoint a receiver, sell separately as going concerns Continental, INA, FAG and LUK to the highest bidder in the business world, maintain jobs, and allow the financial vultures to get the 30 billion euros or so from Maria Schaefflers nest egg.
And, maybe notify Legal authorities to acknowledge prior criminal convictions with SKF to boot.
15 February 2009Sweden's Halvarrsson appoints CSR PhD. for SKF conviction response
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has received correspondence from Sweden's high profile corporate monitor Halvarrsson and Halvarrsson regarding the award given to SKF for good corporate social responsibility whilst been convicted and penalized by a European Court of Law.
Sweden's Mr. Martin Peterson, CEO of Halvarrsson states the head of regulator CSR PhD. Tommy Borglund will address this contentious matter about SKF.
Global monitor for transparency and corporate governance, Development Gateway Foundation who advises various governments has responded adding a very strange situation when a known corporate violator SKF receives a good corporate award that could compromise the judicial system.
Further, SKF and Schaeffler group are also involved with fake counterfeit fraud allegations that SKF CEO Mr. Tom Johnstone refuses to comment.
6 February 2009SKF Excludes Illegal Convictions
From a recent article "Corporate Social Responsibility", SKF claims best Swedish company ranking by Halvarrsson.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct is highly concerned with this propaganda, it appears Halvarrsson does not consider illegal conduct as a requirement for such Social Responsibility.
SKF has been convicted for 'Price Fixing' by a EU Court of Law having being found guilty ripping vast amounts of money from governments and private companies, with the assistance of Schaeffler and others.
The total fines to this SKF scam was 19.1 million euros, the second largest penalty handed down by a EU Court
SKF has also fostered the Counterfeit Bearing trade by making false claims and global accusations, again benefiting mega millions of Euros with Maria Schaeffler.
Will Halvarrsson revoke this award from SKF and others for criminal behaviour ?
2 February 2009ZKL Bearings the New image of Modern Europe
Amidst the current global financial crisis, a new look ZKL BEARINGS from Prague, Czech Republic has defied pundits by increasing its production and making long term investments into new regions.
From the long running legal dispute into branding rights and intellectual property of 'ZKL' now resolved in Prague's favour, all ZKL factories are now controlled by the same Board of Directors who are free to exercise funding arrangements from technical infrastructure to marketing on a grand scale.
The Czech Republic the new home for the "President of the European Union" has gained valuable recognition and soon to become Europe's most modern and industrial 'status' attracting foreign investments worldwide.
The BICC is very glad to report this refreshing change from today's doom and gloom atmosphere.
2 February 2009Schaeffler's Last Stand
State Governments in Germany were not impressed with Schaeffler's financial position, demanding a detailed 'Business Plan' before any negotiations for Schaefflers requested 4 Billion Euro bailout, it was revealed last Friday.
Maria Schaeffler's press statement to Government was based on her unawareness of a pending global downturn in the Auto Industry and no indication of a looming global financial crisis in her pursuit to acquire Continental.
Maria's comments appear difficult to understand and conflict with known facts and forecasts at the time of Schaefflers move for a hostile bid to a Auto manufacturer already hurting.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct issued a press release July 2008 and many others to follow, warning Schaeffler of current problems within the Auto Industry and the bad effect this could happen to the Bearing Industry.
Furthermore since last July, the BICC has been involved with various communications with the Board of Continental Group after constant refusal from Schaefflers Board to conciliate, this effort was in vain fearing an inevitable collapse.
Is it now too late?27 January 2009
German Government Requested to Save Schaeffler
The much publicised Schaefflers acrimonious acquisition of Continental, the German Government must now consider requests to bailout both Schaeffler and Continental Groups. Continental shares are now officially marked down to 'worst junk bond' status from 75 Euros to yesterdays DAX close at 14 Euros.
The total indebtedness is a staggering 34 Billion Euros (US$42 Billion) made up from 12 Billion in loans to Schaeffler with many Billions to crystallize, Continentals 11 Billion and a further 11 Billion loan for the outstanding VDO auto takeover.
With Unions demanding unity, 165,000 workers totally disillusioned & extremely concerned for their future, auto sales down and out, boardroom directors in public mayhem, banks at risk with Schaefflers exposure and no conciliatory process to resolve these major issues, why should Tax Payer funds bailout greedy & corrupt people like Schaeffler to continue living the 'high life' ?
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct again states: " SKF & Schaefflers recent known criminal behaviour with other matters and tax payers money now required to prop up the industry, its highly conceivable global perception will mark the bearing floor price down further"
17 January 2009Concerns for Bearing Industry Direction
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has been highly critical towards the corrupt activity of SKF and Schaeffler, however there's an even greater concern on the horizon.
Firstly, the SKF-Schaeffler 'Price Fixing Cartel' conviction without apologising for ripping mega millions from global customers and more recently the 'Schweinfurt catch' Fake counterfeit fraud, currently under review by governing criminal prosecutors. Coupled with Schaefflers takeover of the Continental Group now in free-fall from 75 euros to 19 euros a share translating into a massive loss that could break banks and other financial institutions from lending to the Schaeffler family, an unprecedented fallout.
Secondly, the severe downturn in the Automotive Industry caused by global warming, oil shortage, credit crunch etc. with people opting for public transport. And now with Thompsons Reuters report on the Industrial industry in decline illustrated by Timken and Kaydon shares losing ground.
Thirdly, China's diminishing capacity for the thirst of commodities, Japan daunting double digit Recession, global population doubles over 15 years, world banks in turmoil and trading futures nowhere to go.
The Boards of Bearing Corporations should take notice of these pending demographics and if necessary replace those Directors responsible for known illegal activity, speculative behaviour and corporate greed to a more conciliatory attitude to cope with current global concerns.
15 January 2009SAE Airframe Control Bearing Group Conference April 28-30, Las Vegas USA
Information is now available for the next SAE Bearing Conference and
Committee meetings:
ACBG General Bearing Conference
ACBG Airframe Control Bearings Group Committee
ACBG Rolling Element Bearing Subcommittee
ACBG Plain Bearing Subcommittee
The meeting will be held in Las Vegas, United States on April 28 - 30,
2009.
You may access the meeting information at:
http://www.sae.org/servlets/works/committeeHome.do?comtID=TEAACBGREB
Members, Non Members and Bearing Public are now invited to register.
If you have any questions please contact your SAE or BICC Representative.
Sincerely
The SAE Standards Works.
The Bearing Industry Code of
Conduct
SKF and Schaeffler Accuse Each Other on Fraud Allegations
In a rare show of disunity, SKF distanced itself from their recent Counterfeit marketing Fraud placing the blame fairly on Schaeffler.
Having long association between the parties including a joint conviction on 'Price fixing Cartel' - the 2nd largest fine in EU history, Schaeffler has stated that it was the 'brain child' of SKF in falsifying counterfeit bearings involving global media releases to scare distributors and OE users to believe China and India were responsible.
However, the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has firm evidence that SKF and Schaeffler both made outrageous and fraudulent press releases on this counterfeit fraud for destroying 40 tons of bearings at Schweinfurt, gaining a valuable marketing advantage at the expense of all other bearing manufacturers and distributors worldwide.
18 December 2008SKF-Schaeffler Refuse Liability Over Alleged Multi Million Fraud
Having taken advantage of the Fake counterfeit marketing campaign from Schweinfurt Germany, worth multi millions to SKF-Schaeffler to the expense of other bearing manufacturers and distributors globally, SKF-Schaeffler are now in denial by accusing each other.
The President of the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct, Mr. Ian McPherson states:
"Any Counterfeit product is difficult and time consuming to track down offenders to protect the application user and the given Industry, the deliberate act of deception by an Industry manufacturer such as SKF-Schaeffler is a cruel and cowardly act of Fraud."
China and India have been heavily scrutinised for counterfeit bearings, however in most cases are driven by individual demand now widely contained although pockets of small batches appear from time to time. The Schweinfurt counterfeit catch was so widely spread over thousand of types of sizes made it near impossible to believe.
3 December 2008Counterfeit Reward Exposes Major Marketing Manipulation
Results from August $50,000 reward for counterfeit bearings indicate a huge decline in reported offences globally, and the seriousness of marketing manipulation by major bearing manufacturers.
The BICC research has concluded SKF and SCHAEFFLER jointly masterminded an elaborate scheme to gain a valuable marketing advantage by installing fear of Counterfeit Bearings. In 2007, SKF-SCHAEFFLER launched a massive global press release with the 'burning' of bearings and the 'so called' raid to 40 tons of counterfeit product worth more than 8 million Euro, found just around the corner from Schweinfurt, Germany by a no-named distributor with no-named directors and no-named legal proceedings.
The press release as shown below was captured by various newspapers & industry magazines and circulated worldwide now appearing as a marketing tool by SKF and distributors in USA.
These bearings were not counterfeit, but unsoiled unused product setting off alarm bells to critical industries such as Aerospace and many other precision application corporations & worldwide organisations, blaming countries eg. CHINA & INDIA for this counterfeit activity.
Establishment of the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct primarily focused on eliminating improper conduct such as Counterfeit or Spurious Bearings and other illegal activity including 'Price Fixing Cartels'. SKF & SCHAEFFLER who control a major share of the bearing industry has maintained that illegal operations were solely confined to ASIA, however it's now discovered such covert operations were initiated and conducted in GERMANY and SWEDEN.
15 November 2008Porsche Rejects Schaefflers Offer for Continental Shares
Immediately after yesterday's final approval for Schaeffler's Continental buyout, the Schaeffler group in its endeavour to seek partners to rid of financial crisis, received a sharp jolt from German sports car manufacture Porsche stating a definite 'not interested' to buy a stake in Continental AG.
Porsche having its own problems is facing serious risk of 'reverse' takeover by VW.
Furthermore, Porsche's method to acquire VW, the same methodology employed by Schaeffler for Continental with undisclosed accumulation of shares, is a legal & political issue that may require German Government intervention.
In a show of unity, the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct approves Schaefflers efforts to reduce its liability to debt and minimising the chance of a Continental reverse takeover of Schaeffler's family group.
12 November 2008Germany Considers More Transparency After Schaefflers Manipulation
Germany is considering banning the undisclosed accumulation of shares in listed companies through options trading and boost transparency on its financial markets, the German Finance Ministry said on Monday.
The Financial Times Deutschland had cited unnamed politicians in Chancellor Angela Merkel's left-right coalition as saying investors would by early next year have to register transactions made via options and derivatives contracts.
It is the second time in just a few months that the rules have been questioned. In July, ballbearing maker Schaeffler amassed 36 percent of Continental AG (Xetra: 543900 - news) using credit derivatives that had been arranged discreetly by its banks.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct opposed Schaefflers motives and claimed their actions as illegal, citing a breach to the 'act' and against the interests of the Bearing Industry in general.
In the meantime, CONTINENTAL AG shares continue to slide 'southbound' with today's price at 29.00 euro whilst Schaeffler must pay the agreed 75.00, making a record loss of 25.5 Billion euros to Schaeffler family in 3 months.
5 November 2008Its Think Again For Maria Schaeffler
For reasons long known to the Auto Industry coupled with the global financial meltdown, Continental Group shares have slipped from the very generous Schaeffler buy at 75.00 Euros now hovering at 30.00 Euros, effectively placing the Schaeffler family at risk of 'technical insolvency'.
With Schaeffler's main banker 'Royal Bank of Scotland' going bust and the sacking of its CEO, now in fully effective control by the UK Government, all previous banking promises are cancelled including that made with Schaeffler.
The paper loss by Schaeffler is now approximate 22 Billion Euros and if forced to crystallise will impact on the entire Bearing Industry.
28 October 2008Last Continent to Outlaw Cartels
Australia to adopt similar federal laws as other continents for Price Fixing Cartel Agreements.
Corporate cheats now face up to 10 years jail bringing Australia in line with the US as the highest jail term in the world for cartel activity.
The Bearing Industry of Conduct in its submission to government stated "Cartels harm consumers, businesses and the economy, by companies fixing prices or reducing choice or distorting the ordinary processes of competition"
The BICC submission, mainly generated from the price fixing Cartel guilty verdict of SKF, Schaeffler, NSK, KOYO, SNR-NTN by the French Court.
Furthermore, the SKF spokesperson claimed an appeal would be lodged against the 19.1 Million Euros penalty, however the appeal lapsed without any of the guilty bearing manufacturers apologising. A Class Action is pending subject to legal argument.
26 October 2008Cycle of Bribery Against Regulation
When something goes wrong we all want someone to blame.
If a medical process goes wrong we blame the doctors, if a bridge collapses we blame the engineers, if an amusement ride falls over we blame the bearing and proceed to court for revenge and compensation.
The global financial system is grinding into a 'shock disbelief tsunami' and many experts are blaming former US treasurer Alan Greenspan for refusing to legislate a Code of Conduct but stating markets will self regulate. We all believed good times would just roll on and on.
The Bearing Industry now behind times and without wanting to regulate by the major manufacturers against a backdrop of demand, may now realistically see an Industry 'tsunami' if it remains in constant denial.
22 October 2008BICC to Release Valuable Site Statistics
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has gathered important statistical information from its website viewings.
With over 100 Countries viewing 'bearingcode.com' from Bearing manufacturers, distributors, governments, law agencies and related corporations, the BICC can now focus with a degree of accuracy what the Bearing market is requiring and how it views issues from the website.
This information will be released shortly as a news item and will be transparent with results.
20 October 2008Aerospace Standards Spokesperson Opportunity
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct is assisting the SAE International Aerospace Standards in seeking volunteers to be spokespersons on SAE's behalf for newsworthy industry issues related to the technology of their committees.
Technical engineering experience is a necessary requirement for this prestige position.
Should you be interested in volunteering for this role, SAE Corporate Communications staff will provide detailed guidance on how to respond to the media on issues
-- including "dos and don'ts".
Should you be interested, please respond affirmatively to: info@bearingcode.com
6 October 2008WTO Rules of Origin Meeting for Bearing Industry
The next WTO meeting for Country of Origin Rules is scheduled for Thursday October 9 at 10.00am Geneva, Switzerland.
If you are interested to attend or to make joint submissions, kindly advise your details as quickly as possible.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct will present to WTO findings on streamline Rules for Country Identification. In short, the BICC requires to regulate markings or stampings the same for bearings to that of Package Labelling.
In other words, a mandatory Country of Origin stamping on Bearings to read the same on Packaging, Labels and Boxing.
This is particularly important for Consumers to assist in the protection against Counterfeiting & Private Labelling operators.
29 September 2008Germany & France Agree to More Transparency, Better Standards
The President of France, right winger Nicolas Sarkozy declared that "laissez-faire is over" and German Chancellor, the conservative Angela Merkel, said: "It was said for a long time, 'let markets take care of themselves'. " But now "even America and Britain are saying, 'Yes, we need more Transparency, we need better Standards"'
Now Every Industry is on notice, as we watch financial institutions dropping like flies at the moment, where recently, great towers rose in the air, full of people doing terribly important jobs, moving mind-boggling sums of money around, we now find rows of empty desks. That's the world we now live in, it appears rock solid, its actually shaky and flaky.
Prominent UK spokesman from Canterbury Robin Williams added a liturgical flavour by saying that an excess of faith in markets had become a kind of "idolatry" holding that markets are self-correcting is false.
The global Bearing Industry is part of this blind fault line, operating without a regulatory authority to monitor transparency & behaviour standards. Many acts of such impropriety has already been listed on this site.
As a result from this Financial meltdown, world leaders will be sympathetic for regulating Codes without the fear of overreaction, in response to current trauma.
16 September 2008Goteborg Sweden Theme Park Ride Collapse Injures 30
Bearing To Blame for Accident, Manager Says
A theme park ride collapsed in Goteborg Sweden, injuring 30 people, emergency officials said.
A spokeswoman for Sweden's national emergency response unit, Monika Grandin, said two of those on the ride were seriously hurt in the accident at the Liseberg theme park, one of the primary tourist attractions in Sweden.
The ride was full at the time, Grandin said, adding that 25 ambulances had been sent to the scene.
The manager on duty at the park, Petr Andersson, said it appeared the accident was caused by a malfunctioning ball bearing.
The amusement park's website describes the Ride as "a gravity defying flying carpet." There are dozens of similar rides at parks and travelling carnivals all over the world.
For complete details: www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/15/world/main4263027.shtml
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct requested Goteborg's Theme Park final report into this accident and blame may or may not be bearing related. However, parents taking children for theme park rides deserve guarantees that machinery/bearings are governed by Ethical Standards & Materials.
(In 2005, the U.S. Consumer Safety Products commission said it had received more than 15,000 reports of injuries of all sorts at amusement parks)
11 September 2008Presentations, Operations & Advantages by the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct
To take advantage from 'non biased' global Bearing knowledge either for marketing, latest upgrades with legal, political & technical opinions and general commercial experience, your Company Group or Association can arrange a highly informative Presentation by the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct to most countries.
Your enquiry is welcomed to: info@bearingcode.com
9 September 2008Global Hotspot to $50,000 Counterfeit Bearings
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct received global calls to the $50,000 reward for counterfeiting from both inside & outside the Bearing Industry, including many Industrial Magazines eg. 'Purchasing.com' & 'Congoo.com'
The BICC sincerely thanks this overwhelming response and those who requested further details to 'marketing advantages' in fake advertising of Counterfeit bearing claims.
Many email enquiries centred on how the $50,000 can be applied.
The BICC in a serious attempt to clean-up the issue of 'Counterfeit Bearings' again states a Conviction by an OECD Court of Law must be first established, for the record the following Countries are accredited:
OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES
AUSTRALIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CANADA, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY,GREECE, HUNGARY, ICELAND, IRELAND, ITALY, JAPAN, KOREA, LUXEMBOURG, MEXICO, NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, SLOVAK REPUBLIC, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, TURKEY, UNITED KINGDOM & UNITED STATES.
For additional information email: info@bearingcode.com
8 September 2008India Bearing Manufacturers Respond to Private Labelling
From August news on Private labels & product liability, the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct received positive responses from Bearing Manufacturers in RAJKOT INDIA stating they do not endorse 'Private Labelling' by NKE Bearings Steyr Austria.
One RAJKOT manufacturer confessed they produce taper rollers eg. LM12749 & L68146 for "NKE" but not labelled "Made in Austria Steyr" with export custom documentation clearly identified as "Made in INDIA RAJKOT"
However, these same bearings as shown to BICC are clearly labelled Austria Steyr. The Indians completely deny this process.
Another Bearing Manufacturer from the same district in India told BICC they refuse to sign any agreement with NKE as they demand "Made in Austria" or no country of origin.
What is not known when NKE Bearings Steyr Austria re-exports these bearings from Europe to USA or Australia or to other countries, does the customs documentation state "Made in Austria" as labelled on the bearing or packaging?
NKE refused to respond to these questions.
False customs declaration to 'country of manufacturer' carry heavy penalties including jail to both exporter & buyer.
28 August 2008SAE Aerospace Standards – BICC London Announcement
SAE Aerospace Standards is pleased to announce the significant global strengthening of SAE's Standards Program in Europe.
Keely Andrews will be joining SAE staff as our Europe Standards Administrator located in SAE's Aerospace Standards Europe Office in London. Keely brings a number of qualities to the position including a BA from the University of Hertfordshire, a fluency in French and business German, and a high degree of customer orientation.
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct is discussing the merits of moving into the same premises and requires a suitable applicant with bearing knowledge & preferably BA/LLB in Law.
The SAE office is located in Central London just off Baker Street at 1,York Street, London, W1U 6PA, United Kingdom.
The Aerospace Standards Europe facility provides numerous opportunities to expand our standards program including:
- Establish and promote SAE International and Aerospace Standards program in Europe
- Build relationships with European Aerospace organizations, SDO’s and companies
- Identify new opportunities for SAE standards
- Involve SAE in European standards harmonization/development
- Support activities of technical committees and increase number of meetings in Europe
- Increase European participation on SAE technical committees
The BICC is preparing the formation of a SAE G20 technical committee to fulfill operations, making recommendations & referrals for bearing standards. The London based office will provide a valuable platform for future communications.
22 August 2008Private Brands Bigger Risk than Counterfeiting
The BICC has reported many times the risks involved with Distributors dealing in Private Brands and the non-disclosure of 'Country of Origin'
Private brands or Private Labels are now growing trends for dealers who see a greater profit from buying unbranded 3rd world bearings, then a name change to a 'Private Bin' sold as 1st quality.
NKE Bearings Steyr Austria is your typical example of a Private brand, marketing or referred as "Austria Steyr" can camouflage any 3rd world country of origin with a sophisticated Private Label or so called re-branding.
Many legal risks, possibly greater than Counterfeit bearings are associated with taking on a manufacturing role, none more than 'Product Liability'
In a recent article cleverly written by Lindsay Young for the PTDA, outlines the legal consequences with Joint and Several Liability putting the dealer & private label operator as one in any Legal Proceedings.
For more information on the danger of Private Labels and Counterfeiting click
http://www.ptda.org/Content/NavigationMenu/MarketTrends/Spotlight/MDM_Changing_Face_Li.htm
or
info@bearingcode.com
Schaeffler Secures Deal with Continental
The Schaeffler Group today successfully concluded a long drawn-out deal with the Continental Corporation at a level of 75 Euros per share limited to 49.99 per-cent of Continental's capital.
Schaeffler declined to take 50% and full control of Continental, due to Bankers requirement for Schaeffler to accept the total debt liability placing at risk a mountain size funding arrangement.
A good result for most concerned and places a lesser responsibility on the Bearing Manufacturer.
The biggest fallout from this deal is the forced resignation of Continental's CEO Mr. Wennemer.
Mr. Wennemer, 60, took over as Continental's CEO in September 2001 and used the VDO acquisition to transform the tyremaker into a car-parts supplier second only to Robert Bosch GmbH.
He called Schaeffler's share swaps illegal and said on July 16 that the approach was ``egoistic, high-handed and irresponsible.'' Mr. Wennemer is to leave the company by Aug. 31, and a successor will be appointed in the ``immediate future,'' Continental said.
The departure is ``logical'' and testimony to Wennemer's character, statement by Rober Halver head of research at Baader Bank in Frankfurt. Still, the departing chief is ``the loser in this deal if you want to find one,'' he said.
15 August 2008Takeover Bid Now in Rethink at 8 percent
Schaeffler's battle to take control of the Continental Corporation has been diluted to a single digit.
The Bearing manufacturer confirmed it owns 8 percent of Continental shares with an option to increase now considered unlikely leaving the 28 percent 'swaps' as an illegal contravention of reporting and notification requirements.
Renowned university professor Dr. Mathias Habersack, Chairman of Civil, Commercial, Business and Corporate Law and Board member of the Banking Law Association in Germany has stated the methods used by Schaeffler as a clear infringement of provisions of the German Securities Trading Act.
Further legal advices, states the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority can in this case impose not only fines, but take more stringent action against Schaeffler to nullify the illegal actions that are so damaging to the market, but also prevent Schaeffler reaping benefits from its illegal methods.
CEO Mr. Geissinger has 2 weeks to rethink Schaefflers awkward situation whilst Continental appears quite content to move on with its daily operations.
Little wonder Mr. Geissinger is in a hurry to complete a deal with Continental by raising its offer to 75 euros a share to maybe 80 euros. What price for self pride, and will banks agree to increase the size of exposure against an Auto market in decline?
However, this will not resolve the legal appointment Schaeffler has with German Securities Authority, any deal with Continental's CEO Mr. Wennemer now appears premature.
Schaeffler in further Rethink today stated it could sell all 8 percent of Continental shares to the market after the bid ends 27 August 2008, leaving behind a fallout of considerable magnitude.
6 August 2008Counterfeit Bearings Attracts $50,000 Reward
With continuing non substantiated claims of counterfeit bearings, and used as marketing gimmicks & scare tactics from manufacturers particularly Germany & Japan, the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct has decided to offer a maximum US$50,000 for every Counterfeit Bearing trafficker convicted in an OECD Court of Law.
The US$50,000 reward is a genuine attempt by BICC to flush out fake advertising & fancy marketing campaigns and bring closure as to where Counterfeit Bearings, in such large numbers actually come from and who is benefiting.
The OECD Magistrate or Judge will adjudicate who receives the US$50,000, upon successful conviction, naming of the corporation & supply base, its executives, the amount and bearing sizes involved.
For further information contact info@bearingcode.com
2 August 2008Schaeffler Should Reconsider Continental Plunge
If you believed every newspaper and expert opinion on Schaeffler's bid for Continental in particular 'Auto Magazines' and friends at Porsche, the takeover is a completed deal - then stop, think again & maybe you'll reconsider.
Apart from Maria Schaeffler having little remaining cash reserves with deep pockets relying on its creditors & banks to prop the Continental offer, there are 3 questionable issues for Continental shareholders to have a drink over.
Product Compatibility:
Schaeffler is not renowned for automotive Taper Roller Bearings particularly front & rear wheels.
Continental's insignia product for OEM or Replacement aftermarket is primarily Tyres, making way for conflicting interests or at the expense of a taper roller expert with the likes of TIMKEN, the Japanese or dare mention Chinese.
If Schaeffler's idea in obtaining Continental shares to bolster tapers then with current competition & global auto downturn, what assistance can Schaeffler give to Continental? Its 'think again'
Debt Ratio & Exposure
If Schaeffler's bid for Continental is successful, the combine service debt will be 31 Billion Euros or over US$50 Billion most people cannot write this amount.
Any top financial guru or consultancy corporation will advise to re-advise this exposure and highly doubtful they would approve. For Schaeffler to use the 'Porsche' model for the takeover of Volkswagen is a different criterion, Schaeffler doesn't make Cars or Tyres.
Banks are misled if receiving 4% is an acceptable income for shuffling their numbers, or are there other reasons to the layman or existing shareholder not fully transparent? Its 'think again'
Plunge at your Peril
It now appears Schaeffler has no grand takeover plan in its approach to Continental.
From day one we were told of a 'hostile' takeover, why?
Not only does this look sloppy, but the use of the word 'professional' escapes..
What was the problem of corporate discussions between these two over a few months, finding out each other differences, pros & cons, and if all else fails then declare 'war'. It takes time especially for such a big event for shareholders to reasonably comprehend.
Understandable, Continental has put up the shutters and will no doubt raise many critical constructive issues as to why shareholders should ignore Schaeffler's stance. And each day is costing mega millions for the money already committed.
Its 'think again' for Maria to reconsider.
31 July 2008US Judge Angry at Price Fixing Cartel
A Judge has expressed his frustration that top executives will escape penalties over a Price Fixing Cartel that cost airlines $1.25 billion.
Qantas Airlines employee Bruce McCaffrey got a lighter-than-expected sentence at the US District Court in Washington yesterday for his role in a conspiracy to eliminate competition.
US District Court Judge John D Bates said: "It does bother the court that the most responsible from his company will never face these kinds of consequences."
McCaffrey's lawyers claimed he was only following the orders of "corporate higher-ups" as they were the real decision makers over 15 years.
The ball bearing price fixing cartel that commenced early 1990s and convicted by the French Authorities in 2002, contains the same hallmarks as the Airlines.
If civil & further criminal proceedings now commence in the US District Court, companies including SCHAEFFLER & SKF will need to nominate people within their ranks - or will the District Court Judge step in and order the CEO's of each corporation to stand trial ?
29 July 2008German Corporate Hangover
Inc extracts UK-FT
German commercial culture was once obsessed with maintaining a harmonious relationship with politicians, unions and domestic competitors. This seems to be changing, with German companies now increasingly prepared to mount hostile bids against rivals. Or is it ?
Krupp set the ball rolling more than a decade ago with its unsolicited approach to Thyssen. But ultimately the two sides agreed to a friendly merger. A couple of years ago Merck launched a hostile bid for Schering, and that ended with a friendly merger between Schering and Bayer.
Now Schaeffler is putting pressure on Continental after secretly securing 36 per cent of the shares in its rival. Continental was not amused and has told Schaeffler its offer is too low. But it also seems prepared to negotiate with the enemy.
So the chances are that this deal too will follow what is becoming a trend in corporate Germany of getting friendly through hostile bids, although this time around, Schaeffler's 'Price Fixing Convictions' and other dubious corporate behavior must be considered by Continental shareholders, directors and unions alike.
The politicians do not seem bothered by this growing consolidation of German industry. So long, that is, as it is conducted by German companies and does not involve foreign predators. The country still seems to be suffering from the hangover of the one and only large successful foreign bid for a German corporate icon – Vodafone's takeover of Mannesmann eight years ago.
Imagine if a foreign predator had built up creeping control of either Continental, as Schaeffler has done, or Volkswagen, as Porsche has done. There would have been a political OUTCRY.
15 July 2008Bearing Industry Vulnerable to Schaeffler & Continental
In a bold, but high risk decision to buy Continental Tyres by Maria Schaeffler places huge pressure on the global bearing market.
The Schaeffler Group over recent years has not been the good corporate citizen, obtaining criminal conviction for 'Price fixing cartel' by the French Courts with the fallout of Civil proceedings set to roll both in Europe & USA and the prospect of DPP legal proceedings into 'False & Misleading' advertising to create additional market share.
In a letter circulated by Schaeffler Group June 2008, requesting all deliveries of raw materials must cease due to a crisis of over supply in Schweinfurt, placed a financial burden on there creditors but a financial gain of approx. $1 billion to the coffers of Schaeffler. The BICC knew there was something odd brewing and to the detriment of main stream Bearing business.
The Bearing Industry is not a huge business like many others, and Continental Tyres is outside the parameters of lending support. There could be only one logic wisdom in any hostile takeover, greed.
The BICC is against any takeover of 'outside' bearing business of this magnitude as cash funds required is a total drain to every business reliant to the Ball & Roller Bearing Industry.
It is hoped the Royal Bank of Scotland understands the game play with Continental and former corrupt ways Schaeffler has incorporated in the past. This high risk takeover makes an Industry more vulnerable in an already uncertain Bearing world.
11 July 2008SAE-ACBG Bearing Conference Sept 23-25 2008
At BOEING - Everett WA. USA
September's SAE-ACBG Bearing Conference & group committee meeting will be a Sponsored event by an obvious attraction with the likelihood of record numbers registering.
Attending will be representatives from various Aerospace companies including Boeing, Lockheed, Grumman, NASA, Government standards personnel, a significant number of Bearing Manufacturers eg. RBC, Heim, Emerson, Aurora, NHB, Timken, Kaydon and Engineers responsible for Material specifications & Component ring producer for Bearings.
The SAE-ACBG Chairman Mr.Jim Mathis, Chief Engineer at Boeing will convene the 3 day event with an Agenda to cover both day group meetings & night entertainment packages.
The BICC will move & debate several topics ranging from Specification Alterations without Authority, Counterfeit seizures, false & misleading advertising by leading European Bearing Manufacturers and should these Manufacturers & subsidiaries convicted of criminal Offences including 'price fixing cartels' & 'collusion' be excluded as suppliers to the Aerospace Industry.
For your registration kindly email the SAE Staff Representative Maureen Lemankiewicz :"lemankm@sae.org"
10 July 2008Non Verified Claims of Counterfeit Bearings Installs
Unwanted State of Alert to Other Industries & Countries
Lessons learnt from the 23 Jan 2007 fictitious event relating to Counterfeit bearing raids complete with allegations of criminal prosecution, newspaper headlines and other media press releases by leading European bearing manufacturers, result only in self hysteria for short term marketing gains that create unnecessary & unwanted concerns to critical application sectors globally.
It's easy to grab headlines of counterfeit bearings seized including "22 sets here and 133 sets their" however, in nearly every claim the BICC has requested an examination or police report or Court hearings or Names of offending companies or their executives, but very little is substantiated.
Over reaction or continuing claims of raids involving counterfeit bearing seizure is in itself dangerous and counter productive, only designed for a cheap headline for cheap marketing.
And when real "counterfeit" seizures happen and verified, will the full impact be noticed and accepted by those most vulnerable ?
1 July 2008Aerospace Industry in Bearing Rethink
With recent announcements of material specification Standards modified without authority, Brandjacking in the sale of Air plane parts on the Internet, Airlines at record numbers outsourcing Key maintenance to third world countries for first class passengers, and further news of the prestige's brand "SNFA bearings" now owned & controlled by SKF "not achieving the prescribed specifications" for Airworthiness,
Without over dramatising, Bearings in aviation is now a sensitive issue.
The Aerospace Industry must fast track methods to ensure maximum safety is assured to the travelling public.
Boeing Aircraft (Commercial Division) appears set to incorporate CoC systems to prevent above contamination, the BICC is still waiting for the other major Commercial aviation carrier "Air-Bus" for a constructive CoC policy.
US Military Aircraft has already joined policy discussions.
27 June 2008BICC Presentation to BRBMA India
A detailed presentation by the BICC President Ian McPherson was conducted during a meeting between Executives of Ball & Roller Bearing Manufacturers Association of INDIA and the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct, June 23 2008 in Mumbai.
A range of topics covered included innovative methods to combat illegal trading by Counterfeit & Fake Bearing traders, a properly constituted "Bearing Government", radical changes to an "old system" and accreditation with strong reference to "Change is Unavoidable"
The company Executives attended included MD's of: TATA Steel, TIMKEN, NRB, ABC, SKF, NEI & ACMA deputy chairman.
A 10 page copy of this detailed presentation can be forwarded on request to "info@bearingcode.com"
18 June 2008"Brandjacking" safety problem for conduct regulators
The sale of spare airplane parts on the Internet is a much scarier proposition than phony vouchers. MarkMonitor found 24 vendors that sell parts for Airbus or Boeing commercial jets, and even found F-16 military fighter-jet parts for sale. The commercial-jet business is "at best . . . a Brandjacking or more descriptive Black Market for legitimate spare parts," the report said. "At worst, these listings are selling phony or questionable parts."
Some of the Web sites that are in this business "don't inspire confidence," the report said. As an example, one vendor's site offered mosquito swatters, musical instruments and decorative light strings in addition to aircraft components. Another advertised rough diamonds from Angola along with Boeing business jets, helicopters and light aircraft.
"The Internet is a strange and nasty place these days. . ." the report said. "How private citizens could obtain military fighter jet parts is very much a mystery, and very much illegal, too."
As worrisome as this kind of activity may be, no one is saying that U.S. or major foreign airlines are prowling the Internet, looking to buy questionable components for their planes to save a few bucks. But somewhere in the world, an airline operator very well could be.
We also know that almost two-thirds of the aircraft maintenance for U.S. airlines is outsourced to contractors in this country and overseas. Most of those contractors, at least those in this country, adhere to the same exacting specifications that the airlines do when parts need to be replaced.
Yet there's enough concern about the Federal Aviation Administration's oversight of the outside contractors that it's drawn the scrutiny of congressional committees and business and consumer groups. We can only hope none of those contractors is shopping for parts on eBay.
7 June 2008BICC Proposed Aerospace Specification CoC
From the SAE Airframe Control Bearing Group conference, Nashville TN USA April 2008, it was reported certain material specifications relating in particular to spherical plain bearings may be contaminated during manufacture resulting in reduced life.
A case in point, before any specification becomes a "Standard" inscribed and set in stone, many years of engineered research is normally conducted. Change to an original specification is a significantly rigid & much argued case requiring investigation of serious failures and/or to show just cause.
NASA together with the general Aviation Industry requires strict audit procedures for both materials flow and corporate behavior, obviously reduced bearing life is unacceptable.
The BICC proposed a code of conduct between the aerospace bearing manufacturer and vendor requiring full compliance to original specifications and materials with penalty clauses for default.
A leading EU bearing manufacturer has adopted our CoC method to various outside contractors for compliance and confidentiality. However, another EU bearing manufacturer seeking further approval with the US Aviation industry failed to reply in our request for this initial strategy.
22 May 2008BICC forges with DGF International Group
The BICC has established relations with the "Development Gateway foundation" www.dgfoundation.org that offers members with contacts from over 200 Countries.
BICC main objectives with DGF are Corporate Governance, Compliance, Innovating Thinking, Action & Implementing New Changes to keep up with the modern World.
Global DGF conferences on various commercial matters are a regular feature; if you are a member then automatic notification is sent to your email.
Also within the DGF system operations, another interesting business feature is the "Tenders and Procurement Opportunities Worldwide" www.dgmarket.com
Along with SAE International, the DGF will be a permanent acknowledgement to the BICC site.
14 May 2008Price Fixing Scams Enter US Courts
In what appears several Price Fixing Cartels will now face criminal prosecution by the US Department of Justice, the international Airline Freight industry has commenced "plea bargains" for its Executives at the insistence of the DoJ.
Several Executives from the world's top Airlines involved in this 12 year criminal activity have pleaded guilty offering public apologies in the hope of lighter sentences.
A QANTAS freight Executive faces eight months Jail and $US20, 000 fine, after he agreed to plead guilty. He was one of six executives from the airline's $US61 million plea bargain with the DoJ to settle its criminal liability in the US.
However, Airlines are still under investigation by regulators in other jurisdictions including Europe & Australia. They also face class actions by disgruntled customers in North America & Australia.
The Price Fixing Cartel scam by leading EU & Japanese Bearing Manufacturers dating back from the mid 1990's, were convicted by the French Authorities and fined €19.1 million ($US25 million). A senior Executive from the worlds major Bearing Producer, did not offer an Apology instead made a statement of "Appeal" that has since lapsed.
Maybe this same Executive or his Bearing Corporation in there own interest could now issue a public apology.
The cardboard packaging Cartel scam involving convicted corporation "Visy-Board" is now set for legal proceedings in EU & USA. The CEO has offered a Global apology after pleading guilty & fined $31 million for decades of cartel corruption.
10 May 2008SAE International Acknowledgement
The SAE International has acknowledged the BICC President Mr. Ian McPherson for work and contributions in establishing global recognition.
The statement by David Schutt, Executive Vice President of SAE International, reads in part…
"Thank you for your time; thank you for your talents; and thank you for all that you contribute to SAE International. Without people like you, we simply would not be the world-class mobility engineering society that we are today."
David Schutt further states…
Recently, SAE won the prestigious 2008 National Science Board Public Service Award for the outstanding work we do regarding education.
In fact, according to the award notification letter, SAE was selected in part,
"...for its long-standing and superior commitment to student and professional engineers and math and science education."
Two excellent examples of this commitment to learning and the main reasons that we won the award are the A World In Motion(R) curriculum and the Collegiate Design Series competitions.
Once again, thank you for the work you do on behalf of SAE and the global mobility industry!
Respectfully,
David L. Schutt, PhD
Executive Vice President & COO
SAE International
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001 USA
Ferrari Community Endorses BICC
FERRARI component manufacturer "Hill Engineering" www.hillengineering.co.uk has endorsed the BICC for the purpose of avoiding Counterfeit & Fake Bearings for the use in the exclusive prestige automotive & racing car Industry.
Hill Engineering with nearly 60 years of engineering experience producing component parts under their strict ISO 9001 quality control procedures, challenge you to find a better tensioner bearing for your FERRARI.
For the latest news & information about the Ferrari Community visit www.ferrariChat.com
The BICC has now received many endorsements within the Automotive Chamber of Commerce and with general support from the global Aviation Industry delivers a strong message to the Bearing Industry for Certification.
30 April 2008Gas Emissions Now Gravest Scenario
Transportation of Bearings Big Offenders
Global green house gas emissions are growing far more rapidly than even the most pessimistic estimates developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
In a yet-to-be finalized academic paper, Professor Garnaut and three colleagues estimate that annual emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases would have almost doubled the current levels by 2030 and have reached levels British economist Sir Nicholas Stern predicted would not be reached under a "business-as-usual" scenario until 2050.
The paper concludes that rapid economic growth, centred on Asia but spreading across the world, is driving emissions growth and making earlier projections unrealistic. The predictions are expected to be published in July in The Oxford Review of Economic Policy.
Whilst major bearing manufacturers TIMKEN, SKF & FAG have nice & easy statements on how they contribute to a "Green" policy, the BICC recently examined bearing stocks in Italy, America & Australia with alarming results.
TIMKEN bearings eg. 32210 had (1) no Country of Origin on either bearing or packet (2) the box was made in Thailand (3) printing in Singapore (3) the liner from China (4) A code indicating production from Poland (5) sold in Australia. At a good estimate of more than 30,000 km's of gas emissions for transportation.
SKF for ball bearings ranged from Germany to 11 various Countries, FAG faired much better although both companies claim to be awarded with the best green production. The latest available brochure by the SKF CEO in Sweden claims "stock exchange award winner" for the best green policy, but this does not include transportation around the World looking for the best price policy.
With the above policies from major bearing manufacturers, its little wonder why COUNTERFEIT & Re-Badge bearings are continuing at uncontrollable strengths.
For example, take the corrupt & former bankrupt central EU business "NKE BEARINGS STEYR AUSTRIA" (1) they are not a Bearing manufacturer as claimed (2) Ball & Cylindrical bearings from various CHINA locations (3) Taper rollers from Rajkot, INDIA (3) Sphericals from Ningbo CHINA, CZECH & ROMANIA (4) Boxes & Printing in THAILAND & ASIA.
All are shipped to AUSTRIA packed in nice glossy boxes marked "NKE BEARINGS STEYR AUSTRIA" and marketed to the unassuming at 1st quality prices. Nearly impossible to calculate the Transportation Gas Emissions for these gimmick type fake bearings, however "Name & Shame" is considered the best form of exposure.
11 April 2008New benifits to BICC members for internal company Code of Practise to incorporate
For new and existing members, the BICC has formated a Standard set of guidelines for internal regulations relating to HR & Employers/Employees obligations applicable to all Bearing manufacturers and distributors.
These internal Standards together with an approved company's Code of Practise can be obtained by BICC Members free of charge, simply send your request to info@bearingcode.com
Another advantage & reason for BICC membership.
1 April 2008Warnings for "Cashing-in" on GREEN Marketing
It is a sign of the times when the global corporations the likes of General Motors and the USA Steel Industry announce a new multi-million dollar focus on Research and Development for environmental solutions.
And it is not just the corporate sector with many Governments issuing directives to departments to come clean on Green House emissions and the impact on savings.
This is a commendable turnaround and definitely positive signs for our future global environment and the BICC are cooperating by introducing "Bearing Miles".
However, while there are those businesses and governments focusing on cleaning up their act, there appears to be those "cashing-in" on the "going Green" concept by using marketing campaigns to lure an increasingly environmentally sensitive consumer.
This concept has been labeled "GREENWASH" and it has been officially acknowledged as a real threat to real environmental change by diverting consumer dollars away from "real" and innovative environmental products and causing skepticism in the market and diluting the good that those businesses striving to make changes for the better are doing.
This has become a hot topic, so much so that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released a new guide for businesses and companies that use green claims in their marketing. This guide has put companies on notice and now any claims about green-ness in Australia is subject to the Trade Practices Act prohibition of misleading and deceptive conduct.
Recently the BICC has commenced a trial on a new global environmental concept know as "Bearing Miles". The BICC is pleased to confirm that the concept complies with Australian Government guidelines dealing with Green house emissions.
For more information about "Bearing Miles" contact info@bearingcode.com
17 March 2008PricewaterHouseCoopers Conference with BICC
A meeting & presentation was held on 13 March, 2008 between Directors from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Bearing Industry Code of Conduct.
PricewaterhouseCoopers presented BICC with a newly released 52 page survey on "Confronting Corruption".
Mr. Ian McPherson told PWC the survey is compelling reading & would provide a valuable insight to eliminate global Counterfeiting, re-badge or lack of identification to Bearings & other forms of corrupt behavior.
It features analysis and commentary based on an online survey that was supplemented by in-depth interviews with senior executives and specialists in anti-corruption.
Interviews were conducted by PWC and 390 Company Executives from 14 different Countries.
Mr. Samuel A DiPiazza Jr, Chief Executive Officer, PricewaterhouseCoopers International states:
"We hope this report provides information and ideas to positively influence your strategic activities when operating in challenging business environments".
An email copy in pdf is available send to: info@bearingcode.com
A view from PricewaterhouseCoopers "Essential elements of an anti-corruption programme" is detailed and many statistical illustrations, in particular the VALUE of importance to a company's reputation and/or brand voted at 96%.
Further meetings between PricewaterhouseCoopers & BICC will be forthcoming, especially on Green House Emissions & Bearing Miles with regular reports posted to bearingcode.com News Updates.
13 March 2008Food & Beverage Industry Endorses BICC
The Food & Beverage Industry has endorsed the efforts of the BICC in order to have safe & reliable machinery after many complaints about Counterfeit Bearings.
Mr. Bob McDougall, USA Editor of the powerful www.FoodProcessing.com states :
"The savings can be short-term when replacing OEM parts and assemblies with ones of questionable origin"
"The ideal part to fake is a high-cost item the value of which lies in some character or property not visible to the eye. Components with complex heat treatments, specialty machining tolerances, exhaustive testing certification and expensive compounds or alloys all present ideal opportunities for counterfeiting"
"We're seeing some counterfeit bearings from China," confirms Bill Bayliss, business manager-aftermarket at FMC FoodTech (www.fmctechnologies.com/foodtech), Madera, Calif. "Some bearings are very sophisticated and, as a result, very expensive. But there's a reason they're so expensive. Some customers are finding out the hard way."
12 March 2008BICC to Present at Mechanics Exhibition Parma, ITALY
The Bearing Industry Code of Conduct will hold presentations at the Specialised Mechanics Exhibition "MECSPE" on 4th & 5th April 2008 at the Exhibition Center in PARMA, ITALY
Mr. Ian McPherson will present topics on Green House emissions & the impact on "Bearing Miles", Manufacturers & Distributors obligations and endorsements from other Codes of Conduct.
If you are interested to attend PARMA ITALY, please email to info@bearingcode.com
For the entire program :-
www.senaf.it/fiera_eng.asp?fieraid=116
8 March 2008BICC going Green on Environmental Issues
"Bearing Miles" or "Kilometres Kugel"
Today's conversations are clearly centered on two words, "Environmental Issues"
It is an undisputable fact these two words are having a rapidly growing impact on how products, including bearings, are manufactured, operate and ultimately disposed of.
And while many would like nothing better than to bury their heads in the sand and wait for a new report to confirm it was all a bad dream, the reality is the landscape has altered forever and now, more than ever, industry and businesses alike require new thinking and new methods to ensure long-time environmental sustainability or suffer the consequences.
The BICC has looked at various other Industries (such as the Automotive & Industrial, Food & Beverage) and conclude the common theme is to think "green" at every opportunity.
A prime example is today's "green" shopping. In the UK they have invented "FOOD MILES" so the consumer is given the opportunity to select and buy a product or brand that is produced closest to the outlet, effectively reducing green house emissions with transport and handling.
The BICC believes a similar "green" approach should be implemented in the global bearing industry. Simply put it is called "BEARING MILES" or "KILOMETRES KUGEL"
There will be many believing this to be a gimmick however, please think again.
Today's consumer is more discerning than ever and, faced with the growing reality of potential environmental disaster, seek the opportunity to exercise their moral and legal rights when considering the "complete life cycle" consequences of the products they buy and use.
Information relating to the bearing Country of Origin is now a critical factor for the customer in determining the "green house" process. Therefore, all bearing manufacturers have a moral or legal obligation to clearly stamp bearings with the Country of Origin and not by an unrecognizable code that disguises the true identity.
Another news item into "Bearing Miles" "Kilometres Kugel" will be posted mid April detailing the bearing companies who rebadge or repackage with false Country of Origin.
23 February 2008The USA Bearing Conference, Nashville TN. April 15-17 2008
The President of the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct Mr. Ian McPherson will attend & present the BICC annual address at the USA Bearing Convention held by the International SAE-ACBG in Nashville Tennessee commencing April 15, 2008.
For all details including agenda & guest speakers to Maureen Lemankiewicz - mlemank@sae.org
Venue
Doubletree Hotel
315 Fourth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37219
Telephone: 615/747-4800
Fax: 615/747-4815
Accommodation Room Rate: $ 139.00/Night Single/Double
16 February 2008NASA remembers Columbia's Disaster 5 years ago
The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas during re-entry into the Earths atmosphere, with the loss of all seven crew.
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board's recommendations addressed both technical and organizational issues and stated NASA's obligation to do "everything possible for safety"
Such safety procedures include full Transparency of all engineered products and the manufacture of every component, to avoid further disasters from reoccurring.
The BICC recognises the importance of Transparency & Corporate Governance to provide maximum safety & consumer performance and to ensure all risks of a spurious nature is thoroughly eliminated.
Without full disclosure of independent audit guidelines to bearings as suggested by BICC, then Transparency is not fully addressed towards technical and organizational issues.
11 February 2008Japan again Acknowledges China as World Counterfeiter
For the past decade the Japanese Bearing Industry Association (JBIA) regularly visits the China Bureau of Quality & Technical Authority voicing there opinion about the continuing saga of China's production of Counterfeit & Spurious Bearings, with little or no effect.
Japan's message always contains a "safety with death" approach, but never addresses the necessary diplomatic protocol to audit known bearing manufacturing plants producing Spurious or No country of origin counterfeit type bearings.
China's reaction to this dubious claim of "World Counterfeiter" raises critical ethical issues with Japan Bearing Manufacturers including NSK, KOYO & NTN who over the past decade, have been convicted in a European Court of price fixing Cartel with a billion dollar flow on to the general public.
26 January 2008BICC Steps up Watchdog Role
Since the end of the Second World War it is a fact that accountability and accreditation in the Bearing Industry has been spasmodic at best. Despite this the industry has moved forward and with it some of the biggest global names in bearings have enjoyed dramatic growth, while local producers falters.
In 2008, we find Swedish company SKF and Germany's Schaeffler Group, who closely collaborate, together holding approximately 50 percent of the world's total bearing production with manufacturing plants in most industrialized countries. And with Japanese-made vehicles now holding a coveted position at the top of the global automotive market, the Japanese bearing industry including NSK, NTN, KOYO holds another big slice in world production.
In stark contrast the American Bearing Industry has seen a decline in "home grown" production since 1945 and, apart from TIMKEN, is now dominated by SKF, Schaeffler and the Japanese. The "so-called" American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) is at the mercy of these non-domicile manufacturers with US companies such as KAYDON, RBC, EMERSON left to play little more than minor or subservient roles on their home soil.
Other major countries that have witnessed the wipe out of "home grown" bearing production include - United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Australia.
As the Bearing Industry Code of Conduct (BICC) understands it, SKF is a public stock holding company governed by rules of the Stock Exchange and certain conditions apply in accountability to shareholders, however there are ways and means to prevent disclosure so competition is not informed.
On the other hand, the Schaeffler Group, under the control of Maria Schaeffler, has successfully maintained private ownership especially with the coup buyout in 2002 of the former stock exchange listed FAG AG, thus preventing any public scrutiny. Schaeffler Group can roam globally without accountability only with the limitation of international boundaries.
Consumer benefits and 'Best Practices' are at the mercy of these big bearing manufacturers who, it seems, are against any form of open public transparency especially involving a global Bearing Industry 'Code of Conduct'.
Events, which were uncovered in 2007, confirmed certain behavior by these companies as unacceptable and unlawful.
It is a rather perplexing dilemma that poses many questions and currently has no real answers.
An example of such a question would be, "Why is it that on any jet aircraft all electronic gear/equipment used is manufactured with a strict 'Code of Conduct with Best Practices', yet on these same aircraft all main bearings installed are manufactured without a 'Code of Conduct' and without 'Best Practices' and are supplied from some bearing producers with criminal convictions for violating anti-trust laws in price fixing cartel?"
Perplexing indeed.
And it is because of these questions that the BICC will continue monitoring these companies and their affiliations with one another
16 January 2008INDIA releases Low Cost Car at 2008 EXPO
The release of the new 5 seater motor vehicle at this months prestigious Auto-Expo in New Delhi with a cost of $3000, sends giant waves to the motor industry especially when considering "green house " emissions & high volume assemblies producing fast cars. And at what future cost to the Bearing Industry ?
This INDIA model has no power windows, no air-conditioning, just a basic vehicle offering a little more than a runabout for downtown shopping that could be a new beginning in a "no frills" family car concept. INDIA has vowed to keep the cost of $3000 especially to high volume global markets & will certainly rattle the car component parts industry as major parts involved in this model contain "sealed units" that promises to be a nightmare for imitators.
If other major motor vehicle manufacturers dares to produce similar price effective with green house emission controls at the low cost end, then a rethink in the automotive bearing industry especially in "Aftermarket" sales must re-evaluate or offer, if possible in the way of more "sealed unit" kits.
9 January 2008BICC considers SAE Standards Committee
The SAE International has submitted to BICC a proposal for consideration, a new look Standards Committee that can address further aspects of preventing, detecting and counteracting the threat of Counterfeit, Spurious & Re-labeling of Ball & Roller Bearings including the myth of "grey Marketing".
With the co-operation of the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (EICC) the SAE International established a "G-19 Electronic Committee" with similar objectives as proposed for the BICC.
There are strong advantages with a committee in-conjunction with SAE, as the objective would develop definitions & standards for use in aeronautic, space, defence, civil and commercial applications to mitigate the risks of Counterfeit Bearing components and unethical behaviour.
In this regard, establish Best Practices in component management, supplier management, procurement, inspection, test/evaluation methods and response strategies when suspect or confirmed counterfeit components, including criminal activity is recognized.
If you are interested to know more about this SAE proposal or to make your own submission, kindly forward to ian@bearingcode.com or lemankm@sae.org or phillip.j.zulueta@jpl.nasa.gov
17 December 2008The Bearing Industry & Challenges from 2007
This is our final news item for 2007 & from obtaining Government approval; the BICC recognizes certain challenges to cease old fashioned outdated methods that create misleading activity in the Bearing Industry.
The BICC takes no joy from reporting on False commercial media propaganda to Counterfeit product, fake Aircraft bearings, record vehicle recalls relating to faulty bearings, Spurious bearings from major Manufacturers, epidemic numbers of Re-labeled bearings, Grey market bearings a false & scare representation, Major Manufacturers guilty of price fixing Cartel and Public Deception awaiting EU legal proceedings to name a few.
The 2007 Bearing Year commenced with promises of global cooperation & a plan to implement mutually accepted Standards for the Code, similar to the "Electronic Industry Code of Conduct" (www.eicc.info) that boasts corporations eg. MICROSOFT, SONY, ADOBE, DELL, IBM, APPLE, KODAK, PHILIPS and SAMSUNG, after all if these giant household business names felt the need to adopt an Industry Code of Conduct then it should have been a relative easy task for the Bearing Industry to implement.
Corporate Governance & Transparency is crucial to any Industry Code of Conduct and the rewards provide companies accreditation after audit, a guaranteed increase in market acceptability & price adjustments.
The BICC wishes to thank its energetic staff of Volunteers, Government assistance and from individual Parliament members, the VACC, the Auto Industry News, SAE International & SAE-A, "ebearing.com" & the Bearing Manufacturers & Dealers who made contributions in 2007.
Finally, we wish the Global Bearing Industry a better & prosperous 2008 – We will be back early January with hopefully good news & friendship!
12 December 20089th Auto Expo 2008 INDIA - Presentation by BICC
India's largest Auto Exhibition will be held in New Delhi from 10th to17th January 2008, www.autoexpo.in
Apart from Exhibitors representing India's auto manufacturing & support businesses, many other International Industry groups will be attending eg. USA Europe Japan China etc. including most global Bearing Manufacturers & Business Chamber Associations.
The Expo has invited the BICC to present a comprehensive report into the Bearing Industry, how to address future modern logistics and the general "health" of global Manufacturers & Distributors.
India's Auto & Engineering Industries are ready to adopt Corporate Governance & Transparency and requests procedures on how the BICC independently audits bearing companies that provides accreditation, enabling this 3rd largest world economy to be further advanced than other countries against Corruption, Counterfeit & Spurious bearings.
6 December 2008Bearing Cartel Crime aimed at Holding Company
The BICC has been awarded funds to make submissions on new laws pertaining to Price Fixing Cartels.
From convictions & heavy fines of €19 Million Euros against bearing manufacturers SKF, SNR, INA, FAG, NSK & KOYO by the French Competition Authorities, to other Cartels including the €31 million approx fine to Qantas & a host of other Airlines, the newly elected Australian Government yesterday announced major changes to legislation for offenders of Price fixing Cartels.
In short, the new anti Cartel law seeks mandatory Jail sentences for Executives & Directors of companies found guilty of price fixing Crime with minimum & maximum terms plus fines, this new legislation brings in line with other Countries who have witnessed vast amounts of funds ripped from the unsuspected buyer that has global flow-on effect creating billions of dollars to the corporate crime scene.
The BICC submission to Government will argue that convictions of Cartel Crime should be aimed at the highest possible Board level & not just local executives.
In other words, a subsidiary company from Germany or Japan trading in Australia convicted of Price Fixing Cartel, penalties & the conviction be issued against Directors/owner of the foreign holding company, or at least be "Co Respondent".
Also, the BICC will strongly support the argument for convictions of Cartel crime penalties includes the surrender of passports & visas disqualifying entry to Australia or USA & other countries who participates in this arrangement.
Along with huge Civil Class legal proceedings some valued at more than € Billions, may see a decrease in certain areas of criminal activity in white collar crime.
FOOTNOTE : The new Australian Prime Minister Mr. Kevin Rudd, the first PM to speak fluent Chinese (Mandarin) has made his intentions to be more transparent in policy making.