Bearing Manufacturers in Top 150 Automotive Suppliers

Automotive News has published its annual list of the top 150 automotive suppliers to North American auto and truck manufacturers. The list includes "Tier 1" vendors, who are direct suppliers. Several bearing manufacturers are among 2005's top 150, although more would be included and some would shift positions if the listing included "Tier 2" parts, incorporated by Tier 1 suppliers. Note the top two vendors supplying bearings are actively seeking to exit their bearing businesses. Top on the Automotive News list for 2005 is Delphi Corp. with USD $16.0 billion in sales for 2005, down sharply from $17.6 billion in 2004. Delphi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2005, and its bearing manufacturing operations in Sandusky, Ohio are on the company's list of plants to be sold or closed in the reorganization. Dana Corp. (#6) - operating in Chapter 11 bankruptcy with $5.4 billion of sales in 2005, from $5.2 billion in 2004. Dana manufactures engine bearings, and is looking to divest its remaining plants acquired from Federal-Mogul. American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (#12) - although AAM does not manufacture bearings, as a driveline supplier, virtually all of its products include bearings. Metaldyne (#25) - like American Axle, Metaldyne does not manufacture but supplies bearings in its drivetrain, transfer case and axle products. Federal-Mogul Corp. (#27) - operating in Chapter 11 bankruptcy since October 2001, F-M still produces a variety of bearings for engine and drivetrain applications. GKN Automotive (#31) - the company supplies CV joints, powdered metal components and drivetrain controls. Timken (#46) - the first "pure" bearing company on the list, with $1.2 billion in 2005 sales, slightly down but essentially flat from 2004. Koyo Corp. of USA (#64) - had $717 million in 2005 sales. Freudenberg-NOK (#71) - a key supplier of bearing seals, with $660 million in sales. NTN Bearing Corporation of America (#76) - registering $605 million of sales in 2005, from $541 million in 2004. Saint-Gobain (#88) - supplying various specialty bearings and seals and other products. NSK Americas (#89) - for bearings, clutches, steering columns and electric power steering systems. SKF (#99) - for bearings, seals and drivetrain control systems. Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG (#107) - supplies KS engine bearings among other products.