Coordinated raid led to seizure and significant fine for two companies that made and sold counterfeit Honeywell Genetron® 410A and 407C
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Feb. 20, 2014 – Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that Chinese authorities have penalized two Chinese companies who fraudulently manufactured and sold counterfeit refrigerants under the Honeywell Genetron® brand name for the Chinese market.
The companies, Changzhi Co. and Yingpeng Co., were ordered by a Chinese court in Shanghai to pay $52,000 in damages and make a public apology to Honeywell. Changzhi Co. was previously convicted under the crime of trademark counterfeiting and its principal was sentenced to jail for 3 years with a probation of 3 years.
“Honeywell continues to work closely with local law enforcement and other authorities to actively pursue and help prosecute counterfeiters of our Genetron refrigerants,” said Paul Sanders, managing director for Honeywell Fluorine Products in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. “Counterfeit refrigerants can be flammable and can pose a serious danger to contractors, consumers, and refrigeration equipment. Users should demand product that originates from reputable producers like Honeywell.”
The seizure was part of a joint effort between the company and local law enforcement in Shanghai. According to local authorities, the counterfeit refrigerant was marked as Honeywell’s Genetron® 410A and 407C.
All Genetron refrigerants are subject to extensive quality and safety testing before they are sold. The safety and quality of Genetron refrigerants can only be guaranteed when buying the refrigerant from Honeywell-authorised suppliers.
Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies has actively pursued counterfeits for more than 10 years with successful seizures in more than 20 countries covering six continents. During the last two years alone, Honeywell, working with local governments, have seized more than 200,000 counterfeit products. Since 2007, Honeywell has conducted 13 raids in China and seized more than 18,000 counterfeit products there.
Honeywell continues its efforts to build awareness among end customers on risks of using counterfeit products. These include creating posters that explain how dangerous it can be to use non-genuine products as well as training for contractors on the proper use of refrigerants.
Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies is a global leader in developing and manufacturing advanced materials and process technologies. These materials and technologies are used by people every day in a wide range of industries and applications, from petroleum refining to environmentally friendlier refrigerants to bullet-resistant vests. Our advanced materials are critical in the manufacture of products ranging from nylon to computer chips to pharmaceutical packaging. Process technologies developed by our UOP business form the foundation for most of the world’s refiners, efficiently producing gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and petrochemicals. UOP is now pioneering technology to produce real fuels from renewable energy sources.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
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