€100m investment from NSK

For the most common form of rolling bearings, deep groove ball bearings, this has meant improved reliability even in extreme environments due to new seal technology, improved lubrication and greater operational efficiency.

All of these improvements have been influenced by hands-on experience with customers, providing a greater understanding of their specific requirements.

NSK is said to be the world's leading deep groove ball bearing manufacturer with more than 150,000 types available for use in a huge variety of applications. Starting with the raw materials, NSK has worked closely with steel manufacturers to produce Z-Steel, which has such low levels of impurities that the bearing life can be increased by up to 80% over a bearing made of ordinary steel.

A second field where NSK leads the world is seal technology - an area which can have a huge impact on the durability of a bearing. A new patented labyrinth design ensures the best levels of protection while minimising power loss. With several seal and shield combinations available, the right solution can be found for every application, even those involving high temperatures or corrosive atmospheres.