Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
World's Largest Microphone Manufacturers Team with Chinese Officials on One of the Largest Pro Audio Counterfeit Raids
Evanston, Illinois, and Wedemark, Germany (ots)
Sennheiser, Shure and China's AIC Confiscate over 10,000 Fake Microphones
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG and Shure Incorporated today announced that the two leading manufacturers of microphones worldwide have joined together to take a stand against counterfeit microphones. On Wednesday, December 12 in Enping City, China, Shure and Sennheiser teamed with Chinese anti-counterfeiting officials in the Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC), to complete a raid on five counterfeit manufacturers in seven different locations. Over 10,000 pieces of Shure and Sennheiser products were confiscated, making it one of the largest raids to be executed in pro audio history.
"We asked Sennheiser to join us on this raid because we wanted to show a united front to counterfeiters and consumers alike, indicating that the industry will not tolerate these activities," said Sandy LaMantia, President and CEO of Shure Incorporated. "We embrace fair competition, which inevitably pushes the industry forward, but we refuse to stand by idly as people attempt to deceive our consumers with inferior versions of our products bearing our name."
The December 12th raid uncovered large quantities of look-alike Shure SM58(R), BG Series, and 14A models, as well as Sennheiser evolution 818, and 835 microphones. All goods were confiscated pending an investigation by China's AIC, but preliminary inspections revealed that the counterfeit goods had poor sound quality and severe handling noise.
"Product piracy is an immense problem which damages the reputation of the whole industry. Therefore it is only logical to work together with our competitors in planning and implementing effective action against a common opponent," said Rolf Meyer, President of Marketing and Sales at Sennheiser. "We have an obligation to provide our customers with a quality standard, and will do all that we can to protect that standard."
About Sennheiser
As the world's leading manufacturer of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems, the Sennheiser Group with its headquarters in Wedemark near Hanover, Germany, had total sales of approx. DM 396 million in 2000. The export share is 80%. Sennheiser has a total workforce of approx. 1,300 employees, of whom about 61% are employed in Germany. Sennheiser is active world-wide and, in addition to other partnerships, has its own sales subsidiaries in France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, China, Singapore, Canada, Mexico and the USA.
About Shure Incorporated
Founded in 1925, Shure Incorporated (www.shure.com) is widely acknowledged as the world's leading manufacturer of microphones and audio electronics. Over the years, the company has designed and produced a wide variety of high-quality consumer and professional audio products, providing a vehicle for an individual's personal sound. Shure's diverse product line includes world-standard microphones, premier wireless audio systems, top-rated phonograph cartridges, problem-solving mixers, digital signal processors, and personal monitors. Today, Shure products are used wherever high-quality audio performance is a top priority, in a wide variety of industries, markets, and settings.
Shure Incorporated corporate headquarters are located at 222 Hartrey Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202, 847.866.2200.
For further information about Sennheiser, please visit us on the Internet at www.sennheiser.com.
Contact:
Angelika Eils
Market Manager Asia & Australia
Phone +49 (5130) 600 382
E-mail: eilsa@sennheiser.com
Edelgard Marquardt
Public Relations
Phone +49 (5130) 600 - 329
E-mail: marquare@sennheiser.com
Rob Ascough
Shure Incorporated
Phone 011'852'2892'4222
E-mail: ascough_rob@shure.com
Michelle Zenner Kohler
Shure Incorporated
Phone 847'866'2543
E-mail: kohler_michelle@shure.com