NBC targets construction and mining with smart, low-friction bearings

After establishing leadership in Mobility Sector, NBC Bearings is strategically expanding into construction and mining equipment with a dedicated industrial manufacturing setup in India

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Please elaborate on NBC's recent strategic shift toward the industrial segment, specifically regarding construction and mining equipment.

Our expansion into the construction and mining sectors is a natural progression for us. After establishing a dominant presence in automotive, railways and Aerospace sectors, expanding into the more challenging construction and mining equipment (CME) industry was the logical next phase. We currently provide a wide range of solutions, including ball bearings and large-scale specialized bearings. Today, we present a comprehensive bearing solutions tailored exclusively for this section. To complement this expansion, we have five specialized manufacturing facilities in India, where we have greatly increased our focus on industrial applications.

The equipment industry is currently navigating a significant energy transition. How do you foresee these trends impacting your business, particularly as the industry moves toward greener alternatives?

In terms of technology adoption, the construction industry has traditionally been more cautious than the automotive sector. While we are seeing growth in electric vehicles (EVs) in construction, the change is not as rapid. In this market, procurement experts and operators prioritise dependability and equipment uptime above all else. As a result, our primary focus is on designing bearings that ensure optimal reliability. We seek to address the Indian market's specific pain points by providing our products to keep equipment running longer in challenging environments, as downtime is the most expensive aspect of any infrastructure project.

What specific R&D initiatives is NBC undertaking to improve energy efficiency and equipment performance?