Rockwell Automation, a global leader in industrial automation, said it works to protect its customers and brands through strict supply chain management and a focus on product authenticity.

By selling its products direct or through its network of authorised distributors, it helps to ensure that customers receive new, genuine products that have a full-factory warranty and support, said a statement from the company.

In a recent case brought before the US International Trade Commission (ITC), a company was found to be importing non-genuine, grey market Allen-Bradley products and selling them in the US as ‘factory sealed’ and ‘new’, the company said.

Following the investigation, the company has consented to cease the importation and sale of any imported infringing Allen-Bradley products, and any related inventory that remained in the US could no longer be sold in the country, it said.

This binding stipulation reinforces the best practice of purchasing direct from the manufacturer or establishing a solid business relationship with an authorised distributor who can ensure the supply of new, genuine products, it said.

In addition to warranty, the benefits of purchasing from an authorised source include access to licensed software and inventory, product support, safety and recall notices, technical assistance and quality assurance.

These elements are critical to customers, who recognise their distributor as the local automation expert and depend on the authenticity of the products they are purchasing.

Sourcing from an authorised party also helps to ensure that brands, companies and people are not compromised through the use or implementation of non-genuine, stolen, counterfeit or otherwise materially different products.

Additional considerations include security and compliance. The installation of an altered or modified product poses a threat of operational safety and security, intellectual property infringement and inability to comply with standards imposed by regulatory bodies or governments.

Purchasing authentic products helps mitigate the risk of non-compliance with chain-of-custody requirements or related environmental-management issues, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service