Original or counterfeit
The Distribution Partner Concept also means a significant step in the fight against counterfeit products. Authorized sales channels play a very important role in making the sale of counterfeit products more difficult and protecting customers and consumers against damage. With the Distribution Partner Concept, Schaeffler ensures that its end customers always receive original products from certified distributors.
Counterfeit certificates for distribution partners have already surfaced on the market. This shows that "Authorized Distributor Industrial" has become a very coveted title. As a safeguard against such cases, Schaeffler has assigned a clear number to the certificates, which can be checked for authenticity on the company's website. Another function on the website enables users to search for all distribution partners in a country or region. In case of doubt, customers should never solely rely on a certificate, but use the search function to check whether the issuer actually is an authorized distribution partner.
Link: http://www.schaeffler.com/...