This article first appeared on vikingpump.com in 2020. This version has been updated with the latest information.
Having a great product, with a great reputation, and being a technology inventor like Viking Pump®, positions you as a market leader with high visibility. As such, other internal gear pump manufacturers naturally want to follow in your footsteps. While that is a huge compliment, it also causes confusion among internal gear pump buyers.
In this article we'll walk through 5 reasons you'll want to stick with genuine Viking Pump parts and products, saving you time, money, and a headache.
#1. Low Quality Standards
This is a similar scenario to purchasing designer merchandise knock-offs. You can always buy an imitation Rolex watch that fools the eye at first glance; but, upon closer inspection, flaws become evident…shorter life spans, increased wear, higher replacement needs.
The same goes for imitation industrial gear pumps! If it’s not a genuine Viking Pump product, it will not perform up to the high standards of excellence, backed by our extensive research and testing, that delivers long service life; nor will it come with the expert technical support, maintenance and troubleshooting that our global distribution channel provides after implementation. We have been focused on customers' needs for a century– the quality of our products is reflective of rising to the challenge to meet those needs.
Pictured above: Substitution of a non-Viking idler pin resulted in a failure of this Viking stainless steel internal gear pump. Pin was a dimensional fit, but incorrect material.
#2. Questionable Capability
Our genuine parts are specifically engineered to match the design and specifications of Viking gear pumps. This ensures proper compatibility and fitment, minimizing the risk of issues such as leakage, poor pump efficiencies, or damage to the pump. Competitor imitations may have variations in dimensions or materials, leading to improper fitment and potential operational problems.
#3. Unexpected Long-Term Costs
While the price tag of a competitor product may initially appear attractive, the reality is that imitation parts may wear out more quickly than Viking Pump's genuine replacement parts. This leads to more frequent replacements and increased maintenance costs over time.
Viking Pump products offer better long-term cost savings. Our vertically integrated manufacturing process includes a foundry, machining, assembly and testing center, and an extensive product engineering and testing lab. Our pumps and parts are engineered to last longer, providing optimal performance and durability.
#4. Lack of Technical Support & Expertise
No one knows gear pumps better than Viking Pump. If you go the route of cheaper competitor products, it may be challenging to obtain the same level of quality support leaving you on your own to address any problems that arise.
Viking Pump not only partners with a global network of trusted distributors (some of which have been our partner for over 100 years!), we also have an online library of knowledge to reference our product specifications and troubleshooting. Did we mention an entire library of how-to videos and product information? And when that isn't enough, our team of engineers is ready to assist with any questions you may have.
#5. Dishonest Sales Practices
Some gear pump manufacturers make false comparisons, and others even boldly apply their nameplate to Viking pumps, to gain market share by passing off a Viking product as their new brand. That’s where things go astray, and we are sorry for any misrepresentations. Such behavior is a betrayal to customers rather than a compliment.
But these attempts are nothing new. Viking has been around a long time and since our early days in business, we have had the challenge of imitators (see the page from the historic Viking Pump publication on this very topic!). Many have come and gone, leaving customers returning to Viking Pump for the product and service that has been consistently delivered for 110+ years.
It comes down to the old saying, “Buyer beware!” We recommend working with a Viking Pump authorized stocking distributor to ensure you get the high-quality product and performance you want and need. They can help you sort out the different types of pumps for different applications. And when you see the Viking nameplate, you can rest assured it is the real thing!
To find a factory trained, authorized stocking distributor, visit our contact page or contact us below:
