Supports Plastic Pincho, a family business based in Elche, devised a practical fix eight years ago to address a common beach problem: how to secure an umbrella in windy conditions without tipping or collapsing. The invention carries an international patent and is sold under leading brands across Spain and Europe. Its straightforward manufacturing keeps it affordable, making it especially appealing in sunny tourist markets and easy for competitors to imitate.
Earlier this summer, authorities reported a rise in unfair competition. The National Police Corps seized hundreds of counterfeit skewers and key production molds from two Crevillent warehouses in a single week, alleging a loss to the firm of about 600,000 euros. Witnesses indicated that up to 2,200 components could be produced daily under the counterfeit operation, and investigators estimated that one producer could churn out roughly 900 pieces each day during the peak season, which begins in June. The police cited the scale of the operation and the fraudulent distribution network as major harm to the company and its brand image.
One of the fake molds and skewers seized by the Elche Police Station
Counterfeit beach skewers were marketed by a network that avoided patent protection while producing near replicas. These copies were distributed through large multi-price retail outlets in other provinces and then moved to smaller stores described as all in 100 shops, as well as various tourist or beach product businesses. The counterfeit versions offered similar utility but inferior quality, causing not only direct economic harm from lost sales but also damage to the brand when customers unknowingly bought inferior items instead of the patented option.
The company first learned of the counterfeiting situation in July after spotting a skewer that resembled its patented product being sold wholesale for under three euros. With years of experience addressing duplication issues, the firm engaged a researcher from Elche to explore the scope before the busy season intensified. The researcher traced production and distribution lines back to two Crevillent warehouses, one for manufacturing and another for distribution across Spain. The findings were documented and handed to the Police Station, culminating in actions last Tuesday when the National Police Corps carried out cooperative operations. Authorities recovered 1,400 counterfeit skewers and related packaging during the first raid and found two molds for production in the second. The evidence supported formal complaints and further investigations into the illicit supply chain.
Original pincho from Elche, forged and distributed from Crevillent
During the summer, some counterfeit pallets reached Mallorca, while others were routed through various distribution hubs for multi priced products. Juan Carlos Almira, the company director and son of the inventor of this popular summer solution, notes a long history of battling similar problems. He recalls that the firm typically sees thousands of skewers entering the market, mostly from overseas manufacturers, but through legal action and patent protection they have managed to halt production of infringing items. The company now awaits legal proceedings, confident in the legitimacy of its protected design and its ability to enforce rights against counterfeiters. The fight against duplications continues as authorities pursue enforcement and the company stays vigilant about protecting its patented solution from copycat competitors as the summer season unfolds.