ADVICE
MIKE CULLOM, SALES MANAGER NORTHERN EUROPE OF IDEAL INDUSTRIES EMEA, EXPLAINS WHY IT PAYS TO INVEST IN QUALITY RATHER THAN CUT CORNERS… Buyer beware: cheap imitations are costing the construction industry dearly
C ounterfeit goods pose a threat to the construction industry, but by sticking with branded products on site, contractors can eliminate the quality, integrity, safety and legal implications associated with fake, unbranded and inferior products. Counterfeit products are big business; trade in counterfeit and pirated goods now stands at 3.3% of global trade- with the value of imported fake goods reported to be as much as USD $509 billion annually. Compliance and safety standards The prevalence of fake goods in construction projects is alarming, with safety an obvious cause for concern. While genuine, branded products are subject to rigorous product development and testing to ensure they meet strict quality assurance and safety standards, cheap imitations not only contravene patent law, but also often fail to meet the quality assurance and safety standards embedded in the development of branded products. A quality product In addition to meticulous testing,
genuine products also have the benefit of being manufactured using high quality materials – something their counterfeit equivalents lack. IDEAL Industries’ push-in and lever wire connectors are the result of a meticulous research and development process that ensures the company’s tested and proven products offer consistent product quality throughout their life, regardless of the environment they’re installed in. This is in comparison to counterfeit connectors, which are often cheaply produced and significantly less robust. Cost and brand reputation By using trusted products from a reputable company, contractors can provide tangible quality assurance to their clients. This level of brand loyalty simply doesn’t exist with unbranded products, and should contractors opt for inferior items, they risk installation issues, which could affect repeat business and even their own reputation. Innovative, futureproof solutions What’s more, respected brands are known for their forward-thinking,
IDEAL offers a range of wire connector kits comprising of Push-In, SpliceLine® and Gen II Lever wire connectors.
innovative solutions, continually investing in product development and market research to deliver the latest in cutting-edge technology. Again, this is something manufacturers of counterfeit goods can’t compete with. A worthy investment While it can be tempting to cut costs by opting for unbranded alternatives, and contractors might make the mistake of believing cheap imitations will perform the same as branded versions, remember that choosing inferior products will result in inferior installations, with significant implications for the smooth delivery and quality of the build – is it really worth it? www.idealind.com
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 89
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