Update Re-Parts Supply

[clockboy]

In this months BHI mag there is an article with an update on “Parts Supply”.

Here is a summery of that article.

There have been a number of developments which are worth noting.

 

• Swatch have now announced that it would cease  the distribution of parts to independent suppliers with effect      from December 2015
• CEAHR (Confédération Européenne des Associations d'Horlogers Réparateurs) has continued its resolve not to give up the fight and has decided to launch yet another action in the European Court.
•  The BWCMG (British Watch & Clock Makers Guild) sponsored by Cousins launched in March an Industry Action Fund.

 

The BHI,together with all but one of it’s partners, is resolute in its determination to launch an appeal against the European Commissions continued failure to support our members interests.

 

The costs are a concern & because of this the German Federation have have withdrawn from the CEAHR action.

The CEAHR appeal against the European Court was lodged on 6th October 2014. Since then the court has had ( legal term “interveners”) had representations from Rolex,LVMH & Swatch Group

However law is a long process & the European Court will not consider the case until 2017. 

 

 

 

Costs:

To date the administrative costs of bringing this appeal have been in the region of €12,000. The costs are being covered by CEAHR subscription income. The BHI share of these costs is in the region of €3000.

Fortunately there are no other anticipated costs. The lawyer is so convinced of the rightness of the cause & incensed by the Swiss attitude is working on the case pro bono.

 

The Swiss brands have consistently claimed that their action to restrict parts cannot be deemed to be discriminatory. They have told the commission that every individual watchmaker can apply for “brand accreditation”

Brand accreditation is the route many members of the German federation have taken. The Austrian federation recently reported that more than 50% of it’s members had already,albeit reluctantly signed selective distribution agreements. The cost is in the region of €50k for tools & equipment.

 

These types of agreements are being misused by manufactures across the board-and in all sorts of industries- and MEP's in the European Parliament have already begun pressing for an enquiry into the proliferation of their use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SSTEEL]

Oh boy!