Bearing is a crucial component in a machine and is used in various kinds of machinery, electronic equipment, engines, airplanes, and many more. The main function of bearings is to reduce the friction generated in various parts of machines, such as rotating shafts in turbines, gears, rotors, and others. They increase the efficiency of the machines. Bearings are also essential for manufacturing processes because they increase the efficiency of manufacturing machines in factories. Bearings are made of two rings or disks, rolling elements such as rollers or balls, and a cage to separate the rolling elements.
The demand for bearings in India has increased considerably in recent years, mainly due to high growth in the country’s automotive, pump, and fan industries. The top players in bearing manufacturer in India catering to its high demand have been listed here.
List of Top Bearing Manufacturers In India
1. SKF India Limited
SKF India Limited was established in the year 1923 as a trading firm in Kolkata. This company’s first production unit was established in 1965 in Pune, Maharashtra. Currently, this company has production facilities in Haridwar and Bangalore as well. SKF India Limited is now a leading manufacturer of bearings in India. Other products manufactured by it include seals, lubrication systems, and mechatronics.
The bearings manufactured by SKF India Limited include ball bearings, super-precision bearings, roller bearings, plain bearings, engineered bearings, and track runner bearings. This company has a network of more than 300 wholesalers and 11 sales offices all over India. It is also present in 450 locations across 130 countries.
2. Schaeffler India
Schaeffler India is one of the largest bearing manufacturers in India. The earlier name of this company was FAG India Bearings Limited. Schaeffler India has two production facilities located in Pune and Vadodara. The bearings are sold under the brand name FAG. The production facility at Vadodara manufactures ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, deep groove ball bearings, large-size roller bearings, and wheel bearings.
Schaeffler India also manufactures engine and transmission components, clutch systems, and dual-mass flywheels for passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles, and trucks. These products are sold under the brand names INA and LuK. There are 9 sales offices of this company in India.
3. Timken India Limited
Timken India Limited is a joint venture between Tata Iron and Steel Company and Timken Company. The first facility of Timken India Limited was established in the steel city of Jamshedpur in the year 1987. Currently, this company has manufacturing plants in Jamshedpur and Raipur. A bore production unit was opened in 2008 in Chennai. TISCO and Timken hold 40% shares each in this company.
Timken India Limited is a leading manufacturer of engineered bearings in India. Its other products include mechanical power transmission products. This company also provides industrial services. This company’s sales offices are in Jamshedpur, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune and Chennai.
4. NRB Bearing
NRB Bearing was established in the year 1965 and is one of India’s major manufacturers of needle and cylindrical roller bearings. Apart from roller bearings and conventional cylindrical roller bearings, this company also manufactures new lightweight drawn cup bearings. NRB Bearing has the distinction of being the first manufacturer of needle roller bearings in India.
NRB Bearing provides high-end friction solutions for a number of mobility applications, including automobiles. 90% of the cars plying on the roads in India have parts manufactured by this company. NRB Bearings has many subsidiaries, including SML Bearings Limited, NRB Bearings (Thailand) Limited, Europe GmbH, and NRB US Inc.
5. MBP Bearings
MBP Bearings is in the bearings manufacturing sector since the year 1975. This company manufactures a huge number of bearings. These include spherical roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, needle roller bearings, deep groove ball bearings, angular contact bearings, taper roller bearings, clutch release bearings, pillow block bearings, plumber block bearings, thrust bearings, water pump bearings, and self-aligning ball bearings.
MBP Bearings is known for manufacturing high-quality high-precision anti-friction bearings. The bearings are used in several machines and equipment, such as automobiles, agricultural equipment, machine tools, material handling equipment, diesel engines, pumps, electric motors, and more.
6. Menon Bearings Limited
Menon Bearings Limited, established in the year 1991, is based in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Its integrated production facilities are located in the same city. This company designs, tests, validates, and manufactures bearings, bushings and thrust washers. These components are used in earth movers, automotive engines, stationary engines, marine engines, tillers, and compressors.
Menon Bearings Limited is a major exporter of bearings and other products. 30% of its output is exported to other countries such as the USA, Dubai, France, Brazil, Mexico, African countries, the Netherlands, and more. This company has a branch in Indianapolis, USA, supplying bearings and other components to the US market for the last 20 years.
7. Bimetal Bearing Limited
Bimetal Bearing Limited, founded in 1961, is a joint venture between a US company named Clevite Inc. and an Australian company named Rapco. The integrated manufacturing facilities of this company are located in Chennai, Hosur, and Coimbatore. The products manufactured by BBL include engine bearings, thrust washers, bushings, cladded/sintered bimetallic strips, and pre-alloyed copper powder.
BBL is known for manufacturing plated and non-plated varieties of aluminum and copper alloy bearings. The bearings and other products manufactured by this company are used in two-wheeler vehicles, passenger cars, multi-utility vehicles, and commercial vehicles.
8. Galaxy Bearing Limited
Galaxy Bearing Limited, established in the year 1994, is a leading manufacturer of bearings in India. It is a subsidiary of the Galaxy Group and is based in Rajkot, Gujarat. The major types of bearings manufactured by this company include taper roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings and wheel hub bearings.
Galaxy Bearing Limited sells its bearings to OEMs under the brand name Galaxy. It also supplies bearing rings to other bearing manufacturers. This company also exports its products to a number of countries such as Germany, Turkey, Australia, Iran, USA, Canada, Italy, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Brazil, and more.
9. NBC Bearings
NBC Bearings is a part of National Engineering Industries, established in the year 1946. It is headquartered in Jaipur and has 5 manufacturing facilities located in Jaipur, Vadodara, Newai, and Manesar. The types of bearings manufactured by this company include spherical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings and ball bearings.
NBC Bearings not only supplies bearings to Indian enterprises but also exports to 30 other countries. The bearings are used in a number of industries, such as automotive and railways.
10. TATA Bearing
TATA Bearing is a major bearing manufacturing company in India with an annual capacity of 37 million bearings. TATA Bearing is a subsidiary company of the TATA Group. The manufacturing facility of this company is located in Kharagpur, West Bengal.
TATA Bearing manufactures a wide range of bearings, such as double-row self-aligning ball bearings, clutch release bearings, magneto bearings, taper roller bearings, double-row angular contact bearings, and hub unit bearings.
Conclusion
From toys to automobiles to complex machinery, bearings are crucial for the smooth functioning of many machine parts. To this end, the top bearings manufacturers assume great importance. Bearings are called the industry’s bread and butter to emphasize their importance.