ContiTech in Chinese fake drive belt victory

ContiTech has achieved a major victory in the fight against product forgeries.

The company managed to prove that a large Chinese manufacturer had produced fake ContiTech drive belts.

The company, Taizhou Fuju Rubber Belt Manufacture Co. Ltd, based south of Shanghai, has been fined.

ContiTech acted on a tip-off from a customer. And when local authorities searched the company’s headquarters, they found large numbers of fake multiple V-ribbed belts and packaging with ContiTech labelling.

Further pirated drive belts with the designation of a leading Japanese carmaker were also confiscated.

"This is a major step in the prosecution of illicit reproduction cases, since it was the first time that we were able to determine the manufacturer directly,” said Helmut Engel, head of ContiTech Power Transmission’s aftermarket division.

“Often, only the dealers and importers are held to account, and the producers of the copies remain unknown.”

He added: "In the future, we will work more closely with our customers in the fight against product piracy.”