NSK Adds Large Industrial Bearing Capacity

NSK Brasil Ltda. (Brazil, a subsidiary of NSK Ltd., Japan) announced expansion plans aimed at adding much-needed production capacity for large industrial bearings. NSK Suzano The plant in Suzano City (just outside Sao Paulo) has been expanded several times to address capacity constraints; it has long been the largest manufacturer of ball bearings in Latin America. Currently, however, Suzano's output is limited to bearings under 110mm OD. The primary focus of the latest upgrade is to push Suzano's production capability to 180mm OD, while adding additional capacity for approximately 500,000 bearings. The additional capacity and larger OD capability is scheduled to come online sometime in early 2006. The move comes not only as Suzano's importance continues to grow but also as the worldwide spot shortages of larger-sized precision industrial bearings (also termed, "non-automotive sizes") show no signs of letting up. Built in 1972, Suzano was NSK's first manufacturing facility outside Japan. It now covers over 50,000 square meters and employs more than 600 people. Beyond the manufacturing plant, NSK Brasil's facilities include five office and training facilities around Brazil and Argentina. Suzano reportedly produces more than 60 million bearings -- from wheel bearing hub units to water pump barings to thrust bearings, ball bearings, roller bearings, and linear bearings -- every year, and is usually running at or near full capacity.