Kolbenschmidt Pierburg Expands Plain Bearing Production in Brazil

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG (Germany) is expanding its plain bearing production in Nova Odessa (near Sao Paulo), Brazil. KS Bronzinas Ltda., the Brazilian operation of bearing division KS Gleitlager GmbH, will receive a USD $2.5 million investment in new production equipment. Capacity at KS Bronzinas is now 900,000 plain bearings per month, but the company plans an aggressive campaign to triple sales and capture more than 25% of the Brazilian market, by 2008. Currently, 40% of the division's plain bearing production is exported to the engine-building operations of various automakers around the world. KS Bronzinas started operations in 1997. In addition to engine bearing applications, the company produces plain bushings for machine tools and household appliances. Worldwide, the KS Gleitlager bearing division has 970 employees in four locations and USD $171 million in sales. Its product groups include Permaglide bearings, engine bearings and continuous casting.