27 Needle Bearing Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for needle bearings as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 27 needle bearing manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked needle bearing companies as of April, 2024: 1.NOSE SEIKO CO.,LTD., 2.Universal Bearings, 3.3 AXIS Development, Inc..
Table of Contents
1985-2014: Worked for Alstom Corporation, ABB Corporation, and Gadelius Corporation, designing Jungstrom air preheaters and mechanical design of diamond soot blowers. (ABB Corporation: https://new.abb.com/jp)
2014-2021: Worked as an engineering and project manager at Alvos Inc.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoichi-hiroki-92192394/
What Is a Needle Roller Bearing?
Needle Roller Bearings, also called are bearings in which the rolling element, the roller, is shaped like a needle. Needle rollers are long cylindrical rollers with a small outer diameter.
Uses of Needle Roller Bearings
Needle Roller Bearings are used in a wide variety of applications in general industrial machinery, automobiles, and many other places and in many different situations. Typical applications include connecting rods for engines and other internal combustion engines. Specialized models are also available.
Needle Roller Bearings, as mentioned above, have a small outer diameter, a large load capacity, and high rigidity compared to other bearings, allowing for a compact design.
Needle Roller Bearings are available in several types, each with different features and applications.
Principle of Needle Roller Bearings
Needle Roller Bearings, like other bearings, are available in radial and thrust versions.
The load applied to the bearing is radial load, which is applied in a radial direction perpendicular to the shaft (rotating shaft) center, and thrust load, which is applied in an axial direction parallel to the shaft (rotating shaft) center. Radial bearings are used when radial loads are applied, while thrust bearings are used when axial loads are applied.
Needle Roller Bearings feature linear contact between the needle rollers and the outer ring or inner ring of the raceway, which provides a larger contact area and lower stress on the contact surface compared to ball bearings.
The small outer diameter of needle rollers allows a large number of needle rollers to be placed in a single bearing, which saves space, increases rigidity, and accommodates high loads. In addition, their low mass and inertia allow them to be used in machines with oscillating motion.
Types of Needle Roller Bearings
There are many types of needle bearings.
Typical types are as follows:
1. Radial Bearings
Needle Roller Bearings with Cage
Needle Roller Bearings with Cages are bearings in which the cage (cage retainer) maintains the spacing between the needle rollers. The cage can be solid, punched, or welded. Needle rollers are available in single row or double row arrangements.
In this type of bearing, the needle rollers, which are the rolling elements, use the mating housing or shaft as the raceway, and there are no outer or inner rings, so the overall dimensions are small and space-saving installation is possible. However, the housing and shaft raceway surfaces with which the needle rollers come into contact must have a high degree of finish machining accuracy, high surface hardness, and sufficient hardening depth to prevent wear.
Caged Needle Roller Bearings are used in engines and transmissions for automobiles and other vehicles.
Shell Type Needle Roller Bearings
Shell Type Needle Roller Bearings consist of a thin steel plate drawn into a shell as an outer ring, a cage and needle rollers. The outer diameter is the smallest among bearings with outer rings, enabling space-saving installation.
The shell allows press-fitting into the embedded part, simplifying installation. Needle rollers are available in a single row arrangement or a double row arrangement. There is also an open-ended type with an open bearing end and a closed-ended type with a cover at one end.
The closed-end type can be used on the shaft end to prevent dust and other contaminants from entering the bearing. Shell Type Needle Roller Bearings are used in industrial machinery in general.
Solid Type Needle Roller Bearings
Solid Type Needle Roller Bearings consist of an outer ring, inner ring, cage and needle rollers machined from alloy steel. Some models have no inner ring and the needle rollers are in direct contact with a shaft or other raceway.
The outer ring is machined from alloy steel and has high rigidity as a bearing and high dimensional accuracy of outer diameter. Needle rollers are available in a single row arrangement or a double row arrangement. Solid Needle Roller Bearings are widely used in printing machinery, machine tools and general machinery.
Solid Type Needle Roller Bearings Separated Type
Solid Type Needle Roller Bearings Separated Type is a type of needle roller bearing in which the outer ring and inner ring can be separated from the needle roller (with cage) in the solid needle roller bearing described above. Each component can be separated and disassembled to simplify assembly.
2. Self-Aligning Needle Roller Bearings
Self-aligning Needle Needle Roller Bearings have an alloy steel outer ring that is machined to have a spherical outer diameter and rotates inside the shell. Like shell bearings, they consist of a shell, outer ring, inner ring, cage and needle rollers.
However, unlike the shell bearing separate type, the shell, outer ring, and needle roller (with cage) cannot be separated.
In the case of the bearing with inner ring, the inner ring and the other parts can be separated as a single unit. This type of needle roller is applicable when the shaft deflection is large or centering is difficult.
3.Clearance Adjustment Needlele Roller Bearings
Clearance adjustment needle roller bearings consist of an alloy steel outer ring with multiple grooves, a cylindrical inner ring, a cage, and needle rollers. As with self-aligning bearings, the outer ring and needle rollers (with cage) cannot be separated.
If an inner ring is provided, it is possible to separate the inner ring and the other parts as a single unit. When the outer ring is pressed in the axial direction (toward the center of the shaft axis), the inner diameter of the outer ring decreases and the clearance of the needle rollers can be adjusted.
Needle Roller Bearings with adjustable clearance are used for high speed and high rotational accuracy applications such as machine tool spindles.
4.Combined Type Needle Roller Bearings
Combined Needle Roller Bearings are bearings that combine the functions of both radial and thrust bearings. It is more compact and space-saving than installing both radial and thrust bearings.
Needle Bearings are used for radial loads, and Ball Bearings, Roller Bearings or Needle Bearings are used for thrust loads. Combined Needle-Bearings are used in machine tools and reduction gears.
5. Thrust Needle Bearing
A thrust needle bearing is a needle bearing used when a thrust load is applied. Like needle bearings with cages, thrust needle bearings are bearings in which the cage (cage retainer) maintains the spacing between the needle rollers. Special outer and inner rings are available and can be used as required.
The cage can be made of punched steel plate, aluminum alloy, or resin. Thrust needle bearings are used in machine tools and pumps.
6. Track Roller
Cam Followers
A cam follower is a bearing that incorporates a Needle Bearing (with cage), a Track Roller (outer ring), and a shaft (stud) on the inner ring side. The shaft protrudes on one side of the bearing only.
The track roller can be cylindrical or spherical in outer diameter. The cylindrical shape has a larger contact area, which is advantageous for high loads, while the spherical shape can tolerate a slight mounting error.
The shaft end is threaded and can be easily attached to the equipment with nuts. Cam followers are used when track rollers rotate and move on a track provided in equipment or facilities.
Roller Followers
A roller follower is a bearing consisting of Needle Bearing (with cage), Track Roller (outer ring) and Inner Ring. It differs from a cam follower in that it has an inner ring instead of a shaft, but is otherwise the same as a cam follower. There is also a model without inner ring.
List of 27 Needle Bearing Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Japan
- Sweden
- Taiwan
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TIMKEN
Timken ADAPT Roller Bearings
Manufacturer Overview
The Timken Company (Timken) was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in North Canton, Ohio. Timken designs, manufactures, and manages engineered bearings and industrial motion products worldwide. Timken operates in two segments, Mobile Industries and Process Industries. The Mobile Industries segment’s portfolio includes bearings, seals, and lubrication devices and systems. The Process Industries segment provides industrial bearings and assemblies; industrial motion components, such as gears and gearboxes; and linear motion products, couplings, seals, lubricants, chains, belts, and related products and services to OEMs and end users in various industries.
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Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument - SDP/SI
Needle Roller Bearings & Races
Manufacturer Overview
SDP/SI was founded in 1950 and is situated in New Hyde Park, New York. SDPP/SI is a manufacturer of precision gears and high-quality mechanical components used in the aerospace, industrial manufacturing, medical technology, and robotics fields. The company manufactures parts in a variety of materials including alloy steel, stainless steel, bronze, brass, nylon, and titanium. The company also provides coating services such as heat treating, zinc plating, and painting. Additional custom options are available including manufacturing to customer drawings and specifications.
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AST Bearings
Needle Roller Bearings
Manufacturer Overview
AST Bearings LLC was founded in 1963, in New Jersey as a manufacturer of ball bearings. The company stocks an extensive inventory of miniature bearings and precision ball bearings that help in reducing rotational friction and support radial and axial loads. There are also linear, cylindrical, and spherical bearings where aligning of movements between shaft and housing is required. There are also other products such as bushings, rod ends, rollers, sub-assemblies, and much more. The applications of these items extend to aerospace, medical, robotics, food processing, green energy, and many other industries
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Spyraflo, Inc.
Needle Roller Bearings
Manufacturer Overview
Spyraflo Inc., started in 1961 and based in Peachtree City, Georgia, is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of ROHS-compliant specialty bearings used in industries such as military and semiconductors. The company also manufactures custom bearing solutions for unique applications and stocks various bearings, including bronze, needle roller, and composite bearings. It also sells mounting options, shaft supports, and thread-ready standoffs. The bronze bearings are manufactured to SAE 840 and are oil-impregnated to cater to high-speed and medium-load applications. Its self-aligning ball bearings are ABEC 3 and self-align up to 5º to reduce alignment and assembly problems.
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Universal Bearings
Needle Bearing
Manufacturer Overview
Universal Bearings is a loose needle roller and precision bearing product manufacturer, established in 1959 and headquartered in Bremen, United States. It mass-produces needle rollers, pins, machined shafts and pins, and needle bearing rings and races. It also manufactures radial roller cage bearings, drawn cup needle roller bearings, thrust roller bearings, cam follower bearings, and roller follower bearings. Some common applications are engine supports, transfer cases, shaft supports, and many more. It has passed some certifications like TS-16949, ISO-14001, ISO-90010, and CQI-9.
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Hartford Technologies, Inc.
Needle Bearing
Manufacturer Overview
Hartford Technologies was founded in 1926 in Hartford, Connecticut and is currently headquartered in the suburbs of Hartford in Rocky Hill. The ISO 9001 certified company is a manufacturer of custom bearings and assembly solutions for the automotive, agriculture, medical, and other industries. The company has four primary product categories: Custom Bearings & Components, Precision Balls, Bearing Parts, and Precision Pins, Shafts, and Rollers. The company’s manufacturing and service capabilities include prototype development, 3D modeling, technical support including inventor management, and quality control systems.
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3 AXIS Development, Inc.
Needle Bearings
Manufacturer Overview
3Axis Development was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Boynton Beach, Florida. 3Axis is a manufacturer of custom machinery, equipment, and tools. 3Axis offers prototyping services such as stereolithography, FDM, SLS, DMLS, 3D architectural modeling, and 3D printing. 3Axis also offers numerous manufacturing services such as injection molding, plastic prototype extrusions, waterjet cutting, precision sand castings, sheet metal fabrication, vacuum & pressure forming, Swiss CNC machining, carbon fiber prototypes, 3D custom signage, fiberglass fabrication, and medical device engineering.
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PIB Bearing, Inc.
Needle Bearing Inner Rings
Company Overview
PIB Bearing, Inc. is based in Union City, California, USA, and is a manufacturer and distributor of standard as well as custom bearings for industrial applications that was established in 1983 as Pacific International Bearing. The company produces various bearings including miniature bearings, angular contact bearings, and roller clutch bearings. It also offers bushings, rubber wheels, and oil seals for a range of compatible material transport systems. The company’s products are commonly used in the industrial automation sector, as well as in robotics and machine tools.
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Boca Bearing Company
Needle Roller & Cage Type
Company Overview
Boca Bearing Company, established in 1987 and headquartered in Boynton Beach, Florida, operates as a distributor, manufacturer, and designer of ball bearings. Its product range includes ceramic balls, utilized for its durability and resistance to harsh environments, ceramic hybrid bearings that combine ceramic rolling elements with steel races, full ceramic bearings made entirely of ceramic material, and medical bearings. The company has over 8000 different bearings and well over 10 million bearings in stock.
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Quality Bearings & Components - QBC
Needle Roller Bearings
Distributor Overview
Quality Bearings & Components (QBC) has been a distributor of bearings and related motion control components since 1950. The company is under the Designatronics division, headquartered in New York, USA. The company supplies various bearings, such as ball, roller, thrust, and spherical plain bearings. These components are critical in reducing friction and facilitating smooth motion in machinery and equipment. The company also has other motion components, including bushings, rod ends and linkages, linear motion products, pillow blocks and flanges, and shafting. The company serves a broad customer across various industries, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, agriculture, and industrial machinery.
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VXB Ball Bearings.
Needle Roller Bearing
Distributor Overview
VXB Ball Bearings., founded in the USA is a supplier of bearings. The company's product portfolio consists of a variety of ball bearings, including deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, thrust ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, and spherical roller bearings. It also provides specialized bearings for specific industries and applications, such as agricultural bearings, automotive bearings, and medical equipment bearings. The company offers services including delivery, technical assistance, and after-sales support.
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NOSE SEIKO CO.,LTD.
Products
Manufacturer Overview
NOSE SEIKO CO., LTD. established in May 1964 and headquartered in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan is a manufacturer and supplier of needle roller bearings. The company's product range includes needle roller bearings, cam followers, roller followers, S Lube needle bearings, and roller followers. These products are integral in various mechanical setups, ensuring optimized operations. They typically serve industries in need of precision bearings and related parts. As for its services, the company offers technical support, research and development, diversity management, and proactive response to market changes.
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Schaeffler Japan Co., Ltd.
Needle roller bearings
Manufacturer Overview
Schaeffler Japan Co., Ltd., founded in 1955, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, is a subsidiary of Schaeffler Group, a German manufacturer and supplier of precision components and systems for automotive and industrial applications. The company offers a wide range of products and services, including bearings, precision components, and systems for engines, transmissions, and chassis applications. The company’s products are utilized in various industries, ensuring the upmost performance. The company also offers a range of customer services, including technical assistance, product consulting, and after-sales support.
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JTEKT Corporation
Needle Bearing
Manufacturer Overview
JTEKT was born from the merger of bearing maker Koyo Seiko and machine tool maker Toyoda Machine Works. JTEKT focuses on environmental sustainability to create automotive-specific components as well as industry-agnostic components including sensors, gears, displays, storage devices, and hydraulic units. JTEKT also creates and designs machine tools and equipment necessary for machine production. JTEKT is also developing "internet of everything" (IoE) solutions for modern industry.
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NSK Ltd.
Needle Roller Bearings
Manufacturer Overview
NSK Ltd., based in Japan, is a manufacturer of precision bearings and motion control solutions which started its journey in 1916. The company has established itself as a major supplier for multiple industries, including automotive, industrial machinery, and aerospace. Their extensive product portfolio encompasses ball bearings, roller bearings, and linear motion components. Their Motion & Control products and technologies support the motion that brings comfort and convenience in cars, planes, wind turbines, satellites, and almost anything with moving parts.
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SKF
Needle Bearing
Manufacturer Overview
SKF UK is the British division of SKF, originally founded in 1907 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. SKF designs, develops, and manufacturers bearings, seals, lubrication systems, and services worldwide, with industrial and automotive segments, providing solutions for industries including aerospace, agriculture, transportation, food and beverage, general machinery, material handling, mining, energy, paper, and wind energy. SKF UK offers rolling bearings, mounted bearings, automotive seals, lubrication management, vehicle aftermarket services, waste electric products, and electronic equipment products as well as services including maintenance, remanufacturing, customization, and training.
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NTN BEARING CORPORATION OF AMERICA
NEEDLE ROLLER BEARINGS
Manufacturer Overview
NTN Bearings began in 1918 in Kuwana, Mie, Japan, and is now headquartered in Osaka. The company is a manufacturer of bearings, velocity joints, and precision equipment, as well as a maintenance and service provider. The company serves the aerospace, automotive, construction, wind energy, and infrastructure industries. The company operates via BCA Bearings, Bower Heavy Duty Bearings, and NTN SNR brand of velocity joints, linear modules, distribution rollers, and suspension parts. Other components the company manufactures include linear motion, flanged discs, and condition monitoring equipment.
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National Precision Bearing Group of Mechatronics, Inc.
Needle Bearings
Manufacturer Overview
National Precision Bearing Group of Mechatronics, Inc. established in 1979 and based in Preston, Washington, USA, is an AS9100/ISO9001-certified manufacturer and supplier of bearings and motion-related products. The company's product range includes ball bearings, miniature bearings, bushings, airframe control bearings, and spherical plain bearings. These products play a crucial role in facilitating motion and reducing friction, providing services to industries such as aerospace, industrial, medical and dental, precision, and defense. The company offers services such as cleaning and lube facilities, bearing analysis, quality/ISO assessment, packaging, and stocking programs.
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IKO International
SHELL TYPE NEEDLE ROLLER BEARINGS
Manufacturer Overview
IKO International was established in 1950 and is headquartered in Himeji, Japan. As a certified ISO 9001:2015, the company is a manufacturer of needle bearings, linear motion rolling guides, and precision positioning tables. Its products are used in a wide variety of applications, including industrial machinery, robotics, and medical equipment. The company's product range includes needle bearings, linear motion rolling guides, and precision positioning tables and are used in some of the world's advanced machines. IKO International has over 6,000 employees and operates in more than 50 countries.
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W.M. Berg
Needle
Manufacturer Overview
W M Berg, founded in 1967 and based in Cudahy, Wisconsin, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision industrial parts. The company delivers ISO 9001:2015 certified products and services, including assemblies, bearings, belts & chains, couplings & shafts, gears, fasteners & hardware, pulleys & sprockets and more. W M Berg provides designing, developing, manufacturing and testing facilities to its clients in the aerospace, medical and motion control industries. Its distributors include Applied Industrial Technology and Motion Industries.
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NSK Americas, Inc.
Needle Roller Bearings
Manufacturer Overview
NSK Americas, Inc., founded in 1973 with headquarters in the USA and facilities worldwide, is a global manufacturer of bearings, automotive components, and precision machinery. The company's product line includes numerous bearings, direct-drive motors, cartesian robots, automotive wheel hub units, and steering systems. NSK's products are used in various manufacturing industries for optimized production and automation, including automotive, chemical processing, construction, steel, and consumer product manufacturing markets. An example is the company's Monocarriers MCH Series, which features high-rigidity rails used for cantilever beams and other factory automation applications.
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KINEX BEARINGS, a.s.
needle bearings
Manufacturer Overview
KINEX BEARINGS, a.s. is based in Bytca, Slovakia, and is a manufacturer of rolling bearings that was established in 2005 following the merger of ZVL SLOVAKIA and KLF-ZVL. The company primarily produces standard as well as special rolling bearings commonly used in the automotive, rail, agriculture, and textile industries. It also offers bearing accessories such as locknuts, washers, sleeves, and housings, along with custom manufacturing and technical support services. The company is a subsidiary of the CK Birla Group, and has production facilities in Slovakia as well as the United Kingdom.
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Schaeffler Group USA
Needle Bearing
Manufacturer Overview
Schaeffler, established in 1946, is headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA, and is a manufacturer and supplier of precision components and systems for the automotive and industrial sectors. The company's product portfolio encompasses a wide range of bearings, linear guidance systems, engine components, and precision machinery. These components are crucial for ensuring the smooth and efficient operation in various machinery and equipment. Schaeffler's products find applications in diverse industries, including automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy. the company aims to provide advanced solutions that enhance performance and efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
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NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.
Needle Roller Bearings
Company Overview
Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd. - IKO is based in Japan and was established in 1950 as a manufacturer of bearings. The company designs Linear Motion Rolling guides and Mechatronics series and they were the first to produce Needle Roller Bearings. These products have vast applications in various industries as they are used in Electronics-related Devices and Equipment like semiconductors and for precision devices that are used in laboratory measuring instruments and medical equipment. Textile, printing, construction, transportation, and robotics are also on the list of industries that benefit from IKO products.
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CHANGZHOU MOUETTE MACHINERY CO., LTD
Needle Roller Bearing
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Nadella Inc
Needle thrust bearing
Distributor Overview
Nadella Inc. established in 1930 and based in Milano, Italy, is a supplier of linear guide components and anti-friction bearings. The company also procures and distributes various products, such as telescopic rails, rod ends, spherical plain bearings, ball joints, and precision ball screws. These components are used in agricultural technology, automotive industry, construction machines, and special-purpose packaging machines. It has 8 production facilities and operates in 14 different locations. The company holds ISO 9001-2000 and ISO 14001-2005 and was acquired by ICG in 2018.
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Needle Bearing Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NOSE SEIKO CO.,LTD. |
26.1%
|
| 2 | Universal Bearings |
8.3%
|
| 3 | 3 AXIS Development, Inc. |
6.1%
|
| 4 | JTEKT Corporation |
4.4%
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| 5 | Nadella Inc |
3.9%
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| 6 | Schaeffler Group USA |
3.9%
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| 7 | Hartford Technologies, Inc. |
3.9%
|
| 8 | Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument - SDP/SI |
3.9%
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| 9 | NSK Ltd. |
3.9%
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| 10 | SAN YUN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD |
3.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the needle bearing page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- JTEKT Corporation: 46,053
- NSK Ltd.: 30,577
- NSK Americas, Inc.: 30,577
Newly Established Company
- Schaeffler Japan Co., Ltd.: 2006 (18 years ago)
- Boca Bearing Company: 1987 (37 years ago)
- SAN YUN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD: 1972 (52 years ago)
Company with a History
- SKF: 1907 (117 years ago)
- NSK Ltd.: 1916 (108 years ago)
- NSK Americas, Inc.: 1916 (108 years ago)
Needle Bearing Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
- TIMKEN
- Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument - SDP/SI
- AST Bearings
- Spyraflo, Inc.
- Universal Bearings
- Hartford Technologies, Inc.
- 3 AXIS Development, Inc.
- PIB Bearing, Inc.
- Boca Bearing Company
- Quality Bearings & Components - QBC
- VXB Ball Bearings.
Global Distribution of Needle Bearing Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
11 | 61.1% |
Japan
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5 | 27.8% |
Sweden
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1 | 5.6% |
Taiwan
|
1 | 5.6% |
