Page 14 - Designing Ways 262

TRADE WINDS

Beware counterfeits

and cheap

alternatives when

it comes to your

kitchen cupboards

(and BICs)

by PG Bison

Bison has a long-standing Bison products, the company has again boards must conform to precise
PG reputation, for producing high- been made aware of instances where international parameters, such as internal
quality products, achieved over many homeowners have been deceived into bond strength (IBS). IBS is a property that
years. Continuously investing in world- having counterfeit products installed determines screw-holding and ensures
leading technologies, manufacturing – particularly gloss-finish cabinets – the cabinetry doors do not pull off their
facilities, product ranges, marketing under the pretext of it being genuine hinges. We have had a few calls in the
materials and relationships has helped product, only to then have the product past few months from people who have
build its brand, while ensuring people fail after a few months. Failures include experienced various product failures
can depend on its products to perform colours fading or changing, especially and have been misled into thinking they
as expected. But, as with most market- in sunlight (particularly gloss whites, had purchased PG Bison MelaWood
leading branded products, there is always which turn yellow), bowing, and boards SupaGloss. When we inspected the
the lure of cheaper alternatives and demonstrating low-performance char- kitchen, we discovered it to be counterfeit
counterfeits. acteristics (for example, screws and product," says Justin Berry, Executive:
For some time, cheap alternatives and hinges pulling loose due to sub-standard Marketing and Strategic Development at
counterfeit decorative board products board used for the substrate). PG Bison. "It's tragic for the homeowner
have been available in the South African PG Bison boards are manufactured to invest in improving their kitchen, and
market. Although PG Bison has warned in South Africa and adhere to stringent value of their home, only to experience
consumers against buying knock-off PG international quality standards. "Our product failure. We strongly recommend
that homeowners, installers and designers
double-check product stamps and labels
to ensure they get legitimate PG Bison
products."

How to identify the real deal
Berry says there are several things
to look for when purchasing PG Bison
products that can potentially assist in
preventing customers from becoming
victims of passing off (somebody falsely
representing their goods or business
as that of another person). "Across our
product ranges, the board edges are
stamped with our brand names. Boards
will always carry the specific PG Bison
brand, whether MelaWood, Formica
LifeSeal Worktops (this is printed on the
underside of the worktop), BisonLam,
SupaMatt, SupaTexture or SupaGloss," he
says.
"While not failproof, another thing
to look for is board size. Our decorative
boards come in standard sheet sizes,
the vast majority of which are 2750mm

14 Issue 262 • dw