Tokyo, Japan, April 10, 2013-NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) today held the opening ceremony for its first production site in China's inland region at Hefei NSK Co., Ltd. in the city of Hefei, Anhui Province, China. The plant began initial mass-production operations last October, and from today, it will commence full-scale operations. The ceremony was attended by approximately 350 persons from in and outside the company, including numerous dignitaries from the Chinese government as well NSK President Norio Otsuka, representing the NSK Group, and Hideki Doi, Head of China Operations.
With this new production site, NSK will increase its supply capacity of bearings for automobiles and industrial machinery, further expand its business in China, and continue to contribute to the sustainable growth of China.
Welcoming numerous dignitaries and guests at the opening ceremony, NSK President Norio Otsuka, with CEO Norio Otsuka in attendance, stated: "NSK has built a plant with cutting-edge automation equipment and advanced technology in Hefei. By commencing full-scale operations, the bearing plant in Hefei will establish a system that can provide a timely and stable supply of quality products even in the inland region of China, which has thriving consumer electronics and emerging industries.
NSK plans to expand its production capabilities to provide products that range from the high-functionality end to items aimed at volume production featuring medium functionality but better pricing. It also plans to accelerate sales growth in China. By so doing we intend to be more assured of achieving NSK's growth strategy of doubling sales in China to over twice the current amount, to 200 billion yen, by NSK's centennial celebration in 2016."
Since the 1960s, NSK has been aggressively developing its overseas markets. With the start of operations at the Hefei Plant, NSK now operates production facilities at 63 locations in 13 countries worldwide. NSK has been ahead of the competition in China for over 40 years, providing technical assistance for state-run businesses.
NSK started its production of bearings at Kunshan NSK Co., Ltd., which it established on the outskirts of Shanghai in 1995, and it has continued to expand its business in parallel with China's economic growth. Today, it produces a full product lineup including industrial machinery bearings, automotive bearings, automotive parts, and precision machinery and parts at 12 production sites in China.
Furthermore, NSK has been striving to improve customer satisfaction from the start through the establishment of Technical Service Centers that provide service on the full range of NSK products in China, as well as through nearly 20 sales locations that cover the whole of China.
NSK has already attained the top place in both market share and brand recognition in the bearings market in China as a locally based, self-sufficient company that utilizes local materials and human resources in production, marketing, technology, and management.
