Al-Sayer reinforces strategic campaign against ‘fake parts’

MNSS Toyota Genuine Spare Parts Division holds workshop

KUWAIT: To spread awareness about the serious damages caused by using cheap quality spare parts, showcase activities by Al-Sayer against counterfeit Parts, Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons Co (MNSS) Toyota Genuine Spare Parts Division, a subsidiary of Al-Sayer Holding held a workshop on counterfeit parts in collaboration with the General Administration of Customs at Salmi and Nuwiseeb land borders.

The events that took place on 21st & 26th Dec, were attended by Mohamed Hilal Business Director Parts and Accessories, Desmond Lew Business Director Parts and Group Logistics, Saied Al-Shurafa Deputy General Manager Parts and Accessories Sales, Mohammad Nasimi Senior Manager After Sales Marketing, Oommen Philip Deputy Manager Marketing and Pricing, Xavier Yesudas Manager Parts and Accessories Sales, Osama Al Shami Office Head Intellectual Property Rights office General Administration of Customs, Belal AlKhamis Deputy Manager of Customs Nuwaiseeb border, Madloul Ziad Al-Shammari Asst. Supervisor Al-Salmi border, Tarek Abu Mariam Senior Associate and Mohamed Abdelhamed Associate from Al-Tamimi & Co law firm.

Welcoming the guests Mohamed Hilal said, “We thank the General Administration of Customs for giving us this opportunity. Our gathering today is a continuation of our hard work to activate community partnership with concerned government authorities, private sector institutions and experts to clarify and activate the importance of providing adequate protection for companies, with accredited trademarks, producing goods and services for the health and safety of humans and environment against damages accompanying the handling of counterfeited products and sensual damages that can be caused by it. We are pleased to work hand in hand serving consumers and our beloved countries interest.”

The main objective of the workshop was to educate the customs officers to differentiate between original and fake parts thru the various tools offered by Toyota Motor Corporation in the manufacturing of genuine parts. The event also featured an interactive question and answer session administered by Saied Al-Shurafa.

Educating the high risk of using counterfeit parts Saeed Al-Shurafa said “The spread of counterfeit parts has become a major concern for manufacturers, sellers and consumers alike. The perpetrators of these illegal activities became more professional, they use packaging materials and posters to conceal being absolutely counterfeit, or change it slightly so that the average consumer can’t distinguish it because of the difficulty of discovering these differences in any pieces.”

“The wide spread of counterfeit parts is an ever worsening problem which threatens manufacturers, sellers and consumers alike. Counterfeit parts pose great risks & danger to consumers and the overall community. Such cheap alternative products are made of materials of poor standards and specifications which cannot offer the required performance by the passage of time and which cannot withstand the tough weather conditions,” said Mohammad Nasimi.

• For example, counterfeit oil strain is made of cheap and low quality materials for lower costs which allow damaging materials to get into engine delivering poorer performance and shorter engine life as well as leakage of oil on the engine leading to the combustion of the vehicle.

• Air filter allowing dust into the combustion chamber causing damage to the engine and heavy repair costs.

• Counterfeit brake discs and brake pads which increase the distance required to stop the car on breaking hence threatening consumer life and safety due to poor brake performance apart from damage to the braking system, the vehicle and higher maintenance costs.

• Counterfeit electrical parts delivering poor engine performance and risk to driver. Vehicles catching fire on the road is an example of the greatest risks and results of using counterfeit electrical parts, trading, promotion or using of which is a crime against consumers.

Al-Sayer has been educating customer and overall public awareness about counterfeit parts and their damaging effects and life threatening risks over the past two decades. These are aimed at educating customer and enhancing his awareness of the existence and the danger in using such counterfeits, and to encourage customers to shun such products and go for only Toyota genuine parts for safe driving and trouble free vehicle performance. AlSayer is using hologram labels to identify and distinguish genuine parts for customers.

This comes in line with the Group’s social responsibility promoting such customer awareness and offering valuable information about modern day technology, safety standards of products, and road safety as well. Al-Sayer is in direct cooperation and coordination with the appropriate government control authorities and Customs authorities providing them with best control tools.

“We will continue to strengthen our marketing efforts towards educating the society about the danger of compromising on quality through purchasing counterfeit parts. No Counterfeit is our aim and we will fully support you to protect the consumer and Kuwaiti market from this problem,” added Mohamed Nasimi. The events concluded with speeches by Tarek Abu Mariam and Mohamed Abdelhamed representatives from Tamimi and Co Law Offices & Legal Consultants (Toyota representative) explaining intellectual property rights and the laws assigned to them.

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