Chainsaws crushed as agent and Customs strike on fakes

Lae-based Stihl agent UMW Niugini Ltd and Customs have destroyed 79 fake Stihl chainsaws confiscated at Lae Port.
The products were consigned to two companies in Lae and Wewak.
Stihl manager key accounts sales and export Andrew Batson flew to Lae from Australia and confirmed that all 79 chainsaws were counterfeit and were made in China.
The Stihl Group develops, manufactures and distributes outdoor power tools for forestry, agriculture, landscaping, maintenance and construction.
Batson said the products were sold only through Stihl-authorised dealers in more than 160 countries.
“Such fake tools cause massive risk to end-users because they are not reliable and durable to give long-lasting satisfaction to users and, importantly, cause huge economic loss and risk,” he said.
Customs Commissioner Ray Paul said UMW Niugini Ltd and Bishop Brothers were the only licensed distributors of Stihl products in the country.