BRAKE pad and linings manufacturer Hudaco Friction has acted to combat the sale of counterfeit truck linings in the local motor industry.

All Hudaco Friction brand commercial vehicle brake linings are now being laser-etched with a special code and batch number which lasts the life of the product.

"We can now say 'if it's not laser-etched, it's not a genuine Hudaco product," says export and fleet development manager Keith Clarke, adding the warning that counterfeit linings are inferior to the real thing and should be avoided at all costs

"It's easy to tell the difference between laser-etching and the stenciling of false batch numbers on the counterfeit linings. We have taken this action to protect our property."

Hudaco Friction's action coincides with industry reports about imported brake linings which do not comply with minimum compulsory specifications.