Is your factory operating in a grey area?

Trust Siemens authorised partners for quality and reliability

In today's fast-paced industrial landscape, maximising operational reliability is paramount.

Genuine Siemens industrial automation products are designed to deliver unmatched quality, safety and long-term reliability. Purchasing products from unauthorised sources, commonly referred to as the “grey market,” can introduce significant operational risks. These risks include no warranty coverage, lack of regulatory compliance and potential legal implications.

Quality matters more than ever, and sourcing from Siemens authorised local distributors and partners means your operations meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. Siemens authorised partners are committed to providing genuine products and services that meet Siemens' stringent quality requirements. For genuine products, trust our network of authorised local distributors and partners.

Download our brochure to learn how to empower your operations and protect your future.

What are grey market products?

The term “grey market products” refers to products that are sold and imported by unauthorised distribution channels, often at a more appealing price. You should be aware that these products lack transparency and purchasing them from unauthorised Siemens distributors or partners can lead to significant uncertainty for your business and factory operations. In some cases, grey market products may be counterfeit items that are deceptively marketed as genuine Siemens products.

Online trading platforms or spam emails are usually used to advertise grey market products. Depending on the origin, buyers are generally unable to determine if the purchased products will provide standard technical support and a full legal warranty, or if they are purchasing products that are used, refurbished, non-upgraded, damaged, non-functional or potentially counterfeit. Siemens does not provide legal warranty coverage or standard technical support for grey market products.

Download our infographic for a quick reference about the key differences between grey market products and genuine Siemens industrial automation solutions sourced from authorised partners.

Risks associated with grey market products

The risks of using grey market products can include machine or factory downtime due to product failures, longer throughput times and additional repair costs. These productivity losses and operational disruptions can negatively affect your company’s reputation and customer relationships, indicating a lack of commitment to quality and ethical practices. Siemens is not liable for risks or damages resulting from the use of products purchased from grey channels, such as:

• Quality and reliability concerns: Products purchased from the grey market may not meet Siemens’ strict quality standards, which can result in compatibility problems, higher failure rates and the need for unplanned maintenance.
• Warranty and support issues: Siemens generally does not provide warranty coverage for products purchased on the grey market. If these components malfunction, the lack of support can lead to delays and additional costs in sourcing replacements or obtaining technical assistance.
• Security vulnerabilities: Grey market products may not receive regular updates and patches from manufacturers, leaving them vulnerable to cyber threats. Without these secure software updates, networks can become exposed to data breaches and other security incidents.

If you suspect you’ve received a grey channel or broker product, you can report it to our customer service centre at industry.sg@siemens.com.