If it's an object, it can be securely protected ...
The International Chamber of Commerce in Geneva (CICG) estimated the total value of counterfeit goods produced worldwide as being US$650bn a year. That translates into a very real cost for brand owners.
FirewalkTM Solutions provide brand owners and original manufacturers with the means to ensure that counterfeit items:
can't be systematically distributed via legitimate supply chains;
can be instantly identified in non-legitimate supply chains;
are not unknowingly purchased by end-users.
The actual choice of solution, (between LockDownTM, LockInTM and LockOutTM ) depends upon the particular vulnerabilities that a brand owner may be exposed to. As part of implementing our solutions, we configure our products and services around an individual risk assessment and analysis.
The following sections provide illustrative examples of what can be achieved:
Sportswear and equipment ...
As just one example, on the 21st of November 2008 UK Trading Standards Officers seized counterfeit designer sportswear from an industrial park in Birmingham. The goods "covered the area of a football pitch". More importantly, the genuine clothes would have sold for more than £15m.
The Firewalk LockInTM Solution provides the means to instantly identify genuine items and then influence, bond with and reward loyal customers.
Fashion items and accessories ...
EU customs officials seized 36,000 shipments of illegal apparel in 2007. It is estimated that more than 60% of counterfeit items that get through are passed off as the genuine item and are fed into legitmate supply chains. The fakes are then purchased unknowingly by unsuspecting end-users.
The Firewalk LockDownTM Solution easily and completely prevents supply chains and retailers handling and selling non-genuine goods.
Consumer goods ...
Seven year old Connor Dean O'Keefe was found dead by his mother on the floor of an apartment during a holiday after using his games console charger. Since then, Buckinghamshire trading standards officers have discovered thousands of unsafe chargers that have arrived in the UK.
The Firewalk LockOutTM Solution enables producers to prevent the inclusion of fake components within originally manufactured products.
Pharmaceuticals ...
Counterfeits of 7 major brands from just one drug company have been found in 25 different countries within legitimate supply chains. In almost every case, the fakes contained none of the required ingredients. The senior vice president for operations was quoted as saying, "This goes beyond just selling fake goods, counterfeit medicines place human lives at risk."
The Firewalk LockInTM Solution enables end-users to be certain that they are purchasing the genuine product and not putting their health at risk.
Aviation, aerospace and defence ...
The incidence of counterfeit aircraft parts being used by unscrupulous maintenance companies as the means to save money has grown steadily. Fake microchips are causing a growing number of failures in military systems according to an investigation conducted by BusinessWeek Magazine.
The Firewalk LockOutTM Solution enables manufacturers and operators to be certain that purchased components are genuine and wont risk lives.
Food and beverage ...
Counterfeit alcohol brands include many famous wines, spirits and beers, and both black and grey market cigarettes are common, but the problem has now extended to include counterfeit branded foods.
For original manufacturers, the Firewalk LockDownTM Solution ensures that the supply chain cannot introduce additional fake items.
For retailers, the Firewalk LockOutTM Solution guarantees that received goods will remain unpolluted by potentially dangerous fake food and drink.
Cosmetics and toiletries ...
Counterfeit cosmetics, toiletries and perfumes are a potential hazard to the user and frequently cause adverse skin reactions and other allergic reactions. Counterfeit cosmetic cases continue to rise, increasing at 264% per annum.
The Firewalk LockInTM Solution provides the means to get genuine products safely through to the end user.