CORPORATE NEWS
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04-Jun-2010
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NSK wins prestigious quality award from PSA Group
On March 19, PSA Peugeot Citroen, second largest automotive manufacturer in eurpo, held it's suppliers'day in Poissy, France.
This event brought together the group's 300 leading suppliers, representing around 90% of the total group supplies. As one of the only 14 awarded suppliers in five areas (quality, innovation, replacement parts, economical performance and sustainable development), NSK was honoured and received a prestigious award from PSA, rewarding outstanding performance in quality.
Mr Jean-Christophe Quémard, PSA Executive Vice President and Purchasing Manager, commented on NSK achievement during the ceremony: "A production quality award also goes to our Japanese supplier NSK, which has been supplying bearings since 2003. Its quality record is exceptional since its first part supplied: less than 1 PPM for 6 consecutive years. Whether in development or production, NSK performance is remarkable and recognised as a technical benchmark. Congratulations."
This award is the result of the strong relationship developed along the years with PSA together with NSK continuous efforts in achieving the high quality standards set by the car manufacturer. In this particular instance, NSK performance in quality can largely be attributed to the close coordination with the manufacturing locations, Peterlee, England, for wheel hub units and Saitama, Japan, for tapered roller bearings for transmission applications.
NSK European Automotive Business Unit (EABU) started working with PSA in 1998. The first major project followed in 2000, and mass production deliveries in 2003. Currently, NSK supplies bearings for chassis and drive train for various PSA car models as well as light commercial vehicles and is proud to be involved in the development of future vehicles.
As a strategic partner to top automakers and suppliers around the world, NSK provide solutions that offer higher performance in a compact space. Intelligent steering systems, rolling bearings for drive train, engines and accessories – our products ensure efficient fuel consumption and enhanced active and passive safety in vehicles.
Our goal: Being number one in Total Quality
Continously optimising production processes, delivering innovative products in perfect quality, expanding the range of services, NSK strives every day towards continous improvement, because as a leading supplier in the field of Motion & Control we are determined to achieve our goal: being number one in Total Quality.
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22-Apr-2010
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NSK achieves SUPPLIER GOLD Status with United Technologies
NSK Corporation in Ann Arbor, Michigan is proud to announce receipt of the UTC Supplier Gold Status award. - Marketing
Received by NSK Americas Technical Centre and Indianapolis Distribution Centre, this award is in recognition of NSK's outstanding performance in superior quality, delivery, customer support, value, flexibility and lean practices.
The UTC award recognises companies that deliver overall superior world class performance. The criteria used to evaluate suppliers for this award focuses on: best in class quality, 100% on-time delivery, value, tehnical and business support services and superior lean and 6S practices throughout the organisation.
"NSK is honored to be recognised by United Technologies 'Supplier Gold' status. Sullair management's endorsement of NSK reflects the work performed with Sullair as a Supplier Gold candidate. NSK's engagement with our customer through value stream mapping and other iterative activities highlighted NSK's lean principles throughout the business", noted Brian Lindsay, President and Chief Operating Officer of NSK Americas.
Operating in the Americas, NSK Corporation is a member of the NSK Ltd. group and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. NSK Corporation has a network of sales and engineering teams working in partnership with customers to deliver high performance products, application-specific solutions, superior technical support and exceptional service to the Americas market.
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21-Oct-2009
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NSK Ltd. set to exhibit at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show
Carrying the theme, 'Changing Eco, Changing Safety', the NSK booth will show how the company is responding to the rapidly changing automobile market.
NSK will also focus on showcasing how the company will help to reduce CO2 emissions and improve the safety of the automobiles of the future. The booth will showcase some of the world's finest products and technologies for electric control, low fuel consumption, compactness, lightness and safety.
As the largest bearing manufacturer in Japan, and the third largest in the world, NSK has gained expertise in four core technologies: Tribology; Material Technology; Mechatronics Technology; and Analytical Technology over the many years that it has developed and manufactured environmentally friendly bearing products. Using this expertise, NSK has contributed to the environment and safety through automotive product technologies.
Principal exhibits
1. Ultra high-speed ball bearings for motor and generator in next-generation hybrid cars
Designed for the motor/generator on next generation of hybrid automobiles, the ultra high-speed ball bearings can achieve a revolution of 30,000 rpm or more, or 1.5 times that of conventional bearings. This product will help make a wide range of next-generation hybrid automobiles, whether small or large, to be more fuel efficient, powerful, and compact.
2. LowFriction Torque ball bearings for hybrid cars
Designed exclusively for transmissions on the new generation of hybrid automobiles, the new low-torque ball bearings reduce frictional loss (energy loss) by 50–65% compared to conventional bearings. This product has helped with the fuel economy of the Toyota Prius, the hybrid automobile which has realized both low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions.
3. Integrated gearbox and ECU column-type electric power steering (world’s shortest)
Electric power steering (EPS) is becoming increasingly popular around the world as a technology for making automobiles more compact and fuel efficient. NSK became the first company in the world to integrate the brush motor and the entire mechatronics (ECU, torque sensor board, gearbox, and torque sensor coil) into one unit to achieve the shortest column length for small vehicles in the world.
Compact cars are making headway in Japan and Europe, where the need for environmentally friendly automobiles is high, and also in such emerging countries as BRICs. Compatible with various automobile models, the integrated gearbox and ECU column-type EPS contributes to smooth manoeuvrability and improved fuel economy, as well as in improving safety with its control technology.
4. Highly reliable hub unit bearing for BRICs
The hub unit (integrated unit of the hub that is installed on the tire wheel and the part that is installed on the chassis) offers high reliability for BRICs, where the demand for automobiles is on the rise. The product helps improve the durability of automobiles even on such rugged road conditions as snow, desert, or muddy water, and under a heavy load of passengers or cargo.
5. Miniature cages and rollers for planetary gears with high-speed rotation specifications (world’s smallest)
Developed by using the world's smallest roller (1.5 mm in diameter) and retainer, the compact and light cages and rollers are designed to meet the needs of increasingly diverse and faster transmissions such as belt CVTs, ATs, and hybrid automobile transmissions. Maximum rotation, on the other hand, has been increased to 1.5 times that of conventional products. This product meets the need to improve fuel economy and reduce the size and weight of automobiles.
Outline of the Tokyo Motor Show 2009
Schedule: October 24, 2009 (Saturday) to November 4 (Wednesday)
Weekdays: 10:00–18:00
Saturdays, Sundays, holidays: 9:30–19:00
Press invitation days and special invitation days: October 21 (Wednesday) – 23 (Friday), 9:00–18:00
Venue: Makuhari Messe (Chiba City)
West Hall W202
Organized by: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.
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17-Feb-2009
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CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and Compliance & Information Security Training
During February and March. Richard Tan, IT & Operations Manager for NSK, conducted ‘CSR’ and ‘Compliance & IS Security’ training sessions for all NSK staff in Australia and New Zealand. Staff were then given an open book examination following which Certificates of Completion were issued.
This part of a global push from T-NSK for the company to implement a better IS Security Policy and also to be aware the responsibilities, as employees of NSK, in respect to the CSR and Compliance Policy.
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08-Oct-2008
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Buyer Beware
In a classic case of ‘buyer beware’, NSK has become aware of a product recall for front wheel bearings for Holden Commodore vehicles manufactured between 1993 and 2006. A recall notice was seen in Melbourne’s ‘Herald Sun’ and ‘The Age’ newspapers. The identified models are VR, VS, VT, VU, VX and VY.
It is alleged that the wheel bearings, which were not manufactured by NSK, “could fracture causing the front wheel of the vehicle to separate itself from its mounting point”.
From May 1999, NSK was the genuine Original Equipment supplier to Holden for the VT model onwards. Intricate and extensive design parameters where employed by NSK Japan to ensure NSK’s product met Holden’s operational and safety requirements. ‘Copy’ products that can be found in the market generally would not meet these levels. Watching your front wheel separate from the car is not going to be a pleasant experience.
Contractual conditions require that NSK keep genuine product available to the Aftermarket replacement business for many years after model production has ceased. NSK’s product is widely available and car owners would be wise to ask their repair shop to ensure they use NSK’s genuine product.
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03-Oct-2008
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Mr Saimon Nogami visits Australian Mine Site 20th – 23rd July
NSK Australia Managing Director, Mr Ian Rice and National Mining Manager, Mr Mark Davies accompanied Mr Saimon Nogami, General Manager A/M Business Div. Headquarters Japan, in a visit to the Pilbara region of Western Australia in July. Nogami sans visit followed closely a visit by Mr Hirokazu Takeoka, President NIS.
Purpose of the visit was to allow Nogami san to see first hand the the large scale of current mining activity in the Pilbara. Nogami san was also briefed on the rapid growth of the Australian mining sector nationally to meet expected future demand by expansion projects.
The site chosen to visit was BHP Billiton’s Mt Whaleback Mine near the town of Newman. Newman is a remote location approximately 1 hour flight from Perth in the north of the Western Australia State. This Iron Ore mine is the largest Open Cut (Surface) Iron Ore mine in the world and has been in operation for 50 years. The Mt Whaleback open cut mine is 4km long x 1.5 km wide and at its deepest point is 420m below the original peak of Mt Whaleback, with plans to continue another 300m deeper. This additional depth therefore means for safety, the sides of the pit have to be excavated another 2km wider over the coming decade.
Processing is carried out on site at the Benefication Plant, where lower grade ore is processed to increase the grade up to 68% Iron. From the mine the ore is transported by rail 470km to Pt Hedland where the ore is blended to suit customer’s requirements.
Australian Government resource stated recently that the current mining sector boom is expected to continue to 2020, therefore the Iron Ore industry is rapidly expanding the network of mines and infrastructure to cope with demand from the global steel industry.
A-NSK thanks Nogami san for taking the time to visit the Pilbara and for his support with our ongoing Mining sector Program.
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08-Jul-2008
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NSK Holds Ground-Breaking Ceremony for Independent Research and Development Body in China
NSK Ltd. celebrated the start of construction of NSK (China) Research and Development Co., Ltd. (Kunshan City, Suzhou Province, with a ground-breaking ceremony, held on July 8, 2008. Attendees included President Asaka, Vice-President Hisashi Machida, President and CEO of NSK China Shinichiro Takahashi, and numerous local officials and dignitaries. The facility is scheduled for completion during the summer of 2009.
The current China Technology Division was originally developed in December 2003, serving as a technology base for NSK’s Kunshan plant, a critical production arm of our Chinese operations. Due to the rapid growth of the Chinese market, the facility will be relocated to NSK China R&D, and will expand the scope of its duties to provide basic research and technical support for NSK’s all product types (bearings, automotive components, linear motion products). The center will also respond to the specific needs of the Chinese market.
Since the 1960s, NSK has provided technical instruction to Chinese bearing manufacturers, and in 1995 established Kunshan NSK Co., Ltd in the suburbs of Shanghai, manufacturing ball bearings for use in electrical products. The company currently opens 9 plants in China, manufacturing a wide and varied product lineup that includes bearings and automotive components. NSK also has 10 sales branches across China and Hong Kong, and holds the No.1 share of the Chinese market among all bearing manufacturers
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29-May-2008
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A-NSK and DSI Contract Signing
Signing of Long-Term Agreement with Drivetrain Systems International (DSI) for supply of transmission products for use in the manufacture and assembly of their 6-speed transmission.
This newly developed Automatic Transmission is locally produced at DSI’s Albury facility and was first used by Ssangyong in the “Sports DualCab”, a vehicle currently available in Australia.
NSK Australia also supplies various other components to DSI for the locally produced 4-speed Automatic Transmission supplied to Ford Australia for use in the Falcon and Territory vehicles.
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15-May-2008
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New Deli - Rane NSK Steering Systems Ltd. (RNSSL) Opens Steering-Column Plant at Bawal, Haryana
To better serve its global customers’ rapidly growing vehicle production in the Delhi region, RNSSL, one of India’s leading steering-systems makers, today inaugurated a new, state-of-the-art production plant at Bawal, Haryana, 80 kilometers southwest of the nation’s capital. Today’s occasion was marked at the plant by a ceremony led by Mr. L. Ganesh, Chairman, Rane Group and Mr. M. Degawa, Director & Executive Vice President, NSK Ltd.
RNSSL has invested Rs. 377 million (US$7.5 million) in the new world-class facility with initial annual capacity to produce 200,000 electric-power steering systems for vehicle assembly plants in the region.
Completed in just eight months, the 3,600-square-meter plant offers a vast production area unobstructed by support pillars. Electricity needs have been reduced by maximizing the use of natural light and utilizing high-efficiency air-conditioning throughout the building. The plant’s state-of-the-art equipment has been built in Japan by NSK Ltd. The 2-hectare (5 acre) site in the Bawal Industrial Area offers ample space for ambitious expansion plans. With contracts for new business already in hand, RNSSL plans several phases of additional investment. NSK has been associated with Rane in India since 1997
Established in 1997 as a 50/50 joint venture between Rane Group and Tokyo-based NSK Ltd., RNSSL produces:
• Energy-absorbing steering columns
• rigid steering columns
• tilt, telescopic & sliding steering columns
• intermediate shafts and joint assemblies
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15-May-2008
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NSK Japan Donates to Earthquake Victims in China
NSK Japan will donate a total of 30 million yen (approximately A$316,000) to provide aid to victims of the recent earthquake in Sichuan province and Central China, and to support the recovery effort in the area.
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28-Aug-2007
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NSK's Annual Report for FY2006 (Year Ended 31 March 2007) has been released
The Japanese economy recovered gradually in the fiscal year ended 31st March, 2007, backed by strong capital investments, although consumer spending weakened slightly. In the U.S. economic environment, consumer spending and capital investments increased. However, housing investments declined and economic expansion became moderate. Economies in Europe and U.K. exhibited steady recovery. In Asia, economy in countries such as Thailand and South Korea experienced gradual expansion, and the Chinese economy continued to grow.
As a result, we have posted record sales and income for the third consecutive year. Our consolidated nett sales for the year ended 31st March, 2007, totalled AU$8.150 Billion, a year-on-year increase of 14.1%. Our operating income increased by 46.6% year-on-year to AU$709 Million. Research and Development expenditure increased by 3.8% year-on-year to AU$114.8 Million.
Industrial Machinery Bearings :
Demand in the steelmaking equipment, machine tools, IT & Electrical and general machinery sectors remained high with Aftermarket sales rising as well, improving the nett sales by 10.6% over FY2005. Demand for products in wind turbines surged due to growing public awareness of environmental issues.
Automotive Products :
Sales of automotive bearings including hub unit bearings, standard ball bearings and needle roller bearings increased globally. Nett sales rose by 12.7% on FY2005. The launch of high-power electric power steering systems in Japan and Europe contributed substantially to this performance.
Precision Machinery and Parts :
Demand for products used in machine tools remained at a high level. Demand for products used in photo fabrication equipment for LCD displays substantially increased although demand for products used in semi-conductor and liquid crystal production entered an adjustment phase from the middle of FY2005. Despite this adjustment total nett sales rose by 18.1% over FY2005.
The full report is available for viewing and/or downloading in PDF format. The report can be found under 'Downloads' on our website.
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19-Sep-2006
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Building a new industrial machinery bearing plant in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Increasing production volume as part of global growth strategy
NSK Ltd. announced that the company will construct a new manufacturing facility in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The new manufacturing facility is part of the company’s
mid-term plan to reinforce its market presence in the roller bearing market segment and will be producing bearings for industrial machinery applications, such as steel equipment, machine tools, construction equipment, aircraft, robots and wind generators. Once completed, this facility is expected to increase the manufacturing volume from the current level of ¥60 billion to ¥80 billion in two years.
The year will mark the 90th anniversary of NSK Ltd. and the Fujisawa Plant has been the major production base throughout these 90 years. The new facility will be located in the Kirihara industrial area of Fujisawa City in Kanagawa Prefecture and will build on the experience of the Fujisawa Plant, the engineering expertise of the NSK Corporate Research & Development Center and the human resources of the prefecture.
NSK Ltd. plans to invest about ¥11.3 billion on the facility with an area of 15,000 square meters and will employ over 100 employees.
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21-Jun-2006
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GO SOCCEROOS
Congratulations to the Australian Socceroo team reaching the last 16 of the world cup.
Did you know:
The first World Cup tournament took place in Uruguay in 1930.
The World Cup Trophy is 36cm high and weighs 5kg; it is named the Jules Rimet trophy.
During the Second World War, then-FIFA Vice President Dr. Ottorino Barassi hid the Trophy in a shoebox under his bed to save it from falling into the hands of occupying troops.
In 1966, the Trophy disappeared while on display as part of the build-up to the World Cup in England and was recovered, buried under a tree, by a little dog named Pickles.
The most successful World Cup team in Brazil, having won the tournament five times.
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26-Oct-2005
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NSK Australia celebrates 40th Anniversary of operations in Australia.
In March, NSK marked its 40th year of operation in Australia. The occasion will be celebrated this year by the arrival of several dignitaries from NSK Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan. NSK branches throughout Australia will conduct individual events to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of our staff in reaching this milestone.
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29-May-2002
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NSK-RHP Takes the initiative in using Lead Free Greases
NSK UK has introduced a new, lead free extreme pressure grease (EP) for use in demanding applications with rolling element bearings. The introduction is the first step in a wider plan to remove lead totally from the range of greases which NSK uses in its bearing products. It is consistent with NSK’s objectives in health and safety issues, and is in the best interests of customers in helping to provide a healthier working environment.
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