Press Release

NSK Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Production Facility in Hefei, China

Tokyo, Japan, October 20, 2011 – NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) today held its groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its new production facility located in the city of Hefei, Anhui Province, in China. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the provincial and municipal governments and NSK's customers in the area.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Production Facility in Hefei, China

At the groundbreaking ceremony, NSK President Norio Otsuka expressed his high hopes for the role of the new facility as part of NSK's expanding global manufacturing network: “The new production facility of Hefei NSK Co., Ltd., will be our 12th plant in China and it will be fitted with state-of the-art equipment. It will be NSK's largest production facility outside of Japan. Operated mainly by local staff, the plant will be a truly Chinese endeavor. It will contribute to China's industrial development and serve as an important base for supplying high-quality NSK products from China to countries around the world. We greatly appreciate being given this opportunity to contribute to the local community with the construction of this production facility in the city of Hefei, which is becoming a key center of development in China's inland region.”

Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Production Facility in Hefei, China

Since founding Kunshan NSK Co., Ltd., in 1995 and starting production at its Kunshan Plant in 1997, NSK has established 11 production facilities in China. Through a marketing network built around 16 sales sites, NSK offers products and technical services for a wide line-up, including automotive bearings, industrial machinery bearings, steering components, and precision machinery, all specially tailored to meet demand in China's rapidly expanding market.

Hefei NSK Co., Ltd. is the latest facility to further expand NSK's operations in China.
In 2009, NSK established the new NSK China Research and Technology Center. Providing services ranging from product development and design to technical customer support, the NSK China Research and Technology Center contributes significantly to NSK's business growth in China.

With the construction of the new plant, NSK will further accelerate its business expansion in China's dynamic market, while leveraging its no. 1 market share in China's bearing industry.

Overview of the new production facility:
Company name Hefei NSK Co., Ltd.
Representative Yukio Takebe, Executive Vice President, NSK Ltd.
Location National Hefei New and High Technology Development Zone, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
Date of establishment July 2011
Business areas Manufacturing and sales of automobile bearings and industrial machinery bearings
Number of employees Approximately 500 planned at the initial stage
Capital USD62 million at the initial stage
Investment breakdown 100% from NSK Ltd.
Size of plant Site area of approximately 100,000 m2 and building floor space of approximately 50,000 m2 planned at the initial stage
Commencement of operations Planned for August 2012
Investment amount Approximately USD 150 million planned at the initial stage