2023-11-27

FAKE LEMO, REAL TROUBLE

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” (Oscar Wilde)

Compared with other areas of technology, the connector industry is still relatively unaffected by counterfeiting. However, LEMO has seen an increase in the number of cases and is acting accordingly, to protect its customers’ equipment as well as its own reputation.  
 

Compared with other areas of technology, the connector industry is still relatively unaffected by counterfeiting. However, LEMO has seen an increase in the number of cases and is acting accordingly, to protect its customers’ equipment as well as its own reputation.  

With globalization, counterfeiting has increased to a point where it affects all sectors with high added value. In the field of electronic components, the percentage of counterfeited parts is estimated at 2%, which is the equivalent of USD 9.2 billion. Instead of waiting until the phenomenon further affects the connector industry, LEMO has adopted a more systematic approach to fight against counterfeiting of our products.

LEMO has acquired new tracking tools and implemented new processes to stem the proliferation of counterfeited products on online sales platforms active in Asia. Also, the company sometimes uses targeted measures, for instance at trade exhibitions. “The fight against counterfeiting is primarily directed against manufacturers of counterfeit products. Unfortunately, they are often not easy to reach directly. Therefore, measures are also undertaken against system integrators or distributors, since they are indirectly responsible for these problems” explains Marcel Kochan,  General counsel.

 

HOW TO AVOID COUNTERFEIT

  • Purchase only from LEMO and its authorized resellers (all listed on this page)
  • Check whether each connector is marked « LEMO »
  • Look out for the distinctive « chocolate block » design displayed on most LEMO products  
  • Check the finishing (soldering, cuts, homogeneous gold plating, etc.) 
  • Messy packaging may also be suspicious 
     

If in doubt, contact LEMO at info@lemo.com.

Beyond legal actions

Counterfeiters risk having their material confiscated. They may also be fined, sometimes rather heavily, depending on the country. For the time being, LEMO has only seen very few cases of repeated offense. 
Beyond legal actions, the company also undertakes more pedagogical initiatives by sending warning letters to users of counterfeit parts. “These users often do not realize the risks they are taking. Legal risks, but also safety and reliability risks for their finished products, which may result in system failures with serious consequences. Not to mention the impact on the business in terms of corporate responsibility, along with financial and reputation damage”. The danger for the customers is far from being virtual. “We have seized counterfeit parts intended for medical applications. They resisted to a maximum temperature of 93°C against the 150°C of our original REDEL connectors! This represents a serious risk for the users.” explains Serge Buechli, Head of field application engineering.

Copies may at first glance look convincing, but they are often manufactured from inferior raw materials and may contain imperfections resulting from lower levels of workmanship and process controls. It is also likely that they have not been through a rigorous testing program to validate the products’ performance at extremes or life expectancy. 
For this reason, counterfeit copies often suffer from “infant mortality”, resulting in a premature system failure before any preventive maintenance has been planned. 

LEMO connectors are designed and manufactured to existing standards. They have also undergone lengthy test programs to ensure they are “fit for purpose” for use in sophisticated hi-tech equipment, being used in harsh environments where “failure is not an option”. Therefore, it goes without saying, the risks of using a counterfeit high quality LEMO connector can be severe. It may be a significant loss of revenues resulting from a temporary loss of service or even worse, a loss of life resulting from a catastrophic failure.


Traceability to guarantee the products

During the last years, LEMO has detected several counterfeit connectors on finished products exhibited at trade fairs and many on the web, especially on online sales platforms active in Asia. Sensitive areas such as aeronautics, military, automobile or medical applications are usually better protected via specific procedures (for example audits, test laboratories). However, consumer products can be more exposed.

The best way to be protected from illegal counterfeit is still to purchase connectors directly from LEMO or its authorized resellers. “With our vertical production system 90% of which is based in Switzerland, we control all our value chain, through to distribution. Our products are exclusively distributed via our subsidiaries and authorized dealers. Through our system we can provide total traceability and guarantee that the product is original. “ concludes Serge Buechli.