Counterfeiting. The World Bearing Association calls it a “cancer” on the industry. And even Harvard University has researched the impact of counterfeit Rulon bearings. Yet the problem continues, and has had a tremendous impact on the automotive industry in particular. How can you avoid counterfeit bearing materials? We have some answers:

I’ve just returned from a week of site visits to our customers; a part of my position that I really enjoy. As I was traveling, it occurred to me that we are fortunate to work with manufacturers who represent over 70 industries. While TriStar has delivered bearing solutions for over three decades, there is one question that is still posed to us:

"How do I choose a bearing manufacturer?"

We realize that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to bearing suppliers. And that there are a number of issues to consider; such as manufacturing materials, price point, delivery schedules, location and other value-added services.

However, there are a number of questions you should be asking any potential bearing manufacturer. 

As you plan your bearing purchases for 2014, how can you be certain that the bearing materials you’ve selected are the genuine materials?  How can you avoid counterfeit materials;  particularly with Rulon® bearings?  Unfortunately, there has been an uptick in compounders claiming that their bearings are “Rulon” ― when they are actually another PTFE blend that will not offer the same level of performance.

Happy New Year!