Press Release

Press Release

December 24, 2021

NSK Ltd.
CSR Division Headquarters
Public Relations Department

NSK subsidiary Brüel & Kjær Vibro chosen by Stadler Rail for Long-Term Contract with Berlin Underground (U-Bahn)

  • Brüel & Kjær Vibro (B&K Vibro), which is part of the NSK Group, has signed an agreement with Stadler Rail to bring state-of-the-art condition monitoring to 606 rail carriages for the Berlin Underground (U-Bahn).
  • The VCM-3 Condition Monitoring System (CMS) New Window will contribute to optimizing maintenance schedules, maintaining uptime, and reducing operating costs.

Brüel & Kjær Vibro (B&K Vibro), as the condition monitoring arm of the NSK Group, is pleased to announce that Stadler Rail, headquartered in Bussnang, Switzerland, has selected B&K Vibro’s state-of-the-art VCM-3 Condition Monitoring System to be installed on 606 railway carriages for the Berlin Underground (U-Bahn) in Germany.

This multi-million-euro condition monitoring project is an integral part of a recent project win by Stadler, for the delivery of up to 1,500 new underground cars, which will be used on the Berlin underground network. The framework agreement, with a value close to three billion euros, is also one of the largest supply contracts ever awarded in Europe.

Berlin Underground (U-Bahn)
Berlin Underground (U-Bahn)

Customers demand the highest in reliability from public transportation, and in recent years, operators have been increasingly focused on reducing downtime and operating costs. Adopting condition monitoring systems (CMS) enables the implementation of next-generation predictive maintenance strategies, which can achieve highly optimized maintenance schedules, improve reliability and maintain uptime when combined with a lean operations team.

B&K Vibro’s CMS comprehensive solution includes vibration sensors, edge devices (on-board diagnostics), diagnostic and analysis services which constantly monitor bearings and other moving parts in rail carriages to deliver the ultimate in reliability.

NSK acquired B&K Vibro in March 2021 in order to further strengthen its ability to respond to social needs for advanced automation, smart technology, and environmental measures, and to accelerate the development of its CMS business on a global basis.

About NSK

NSK began its journey manufacturing the first bearings in Japan in 1916, and has since developed into a global organization researching, designing, and manufacturing Motion & Control™ solutions essential for mobility and industrial applications. NSK is the top supplier of bearings in Japan and is the third largest supplier in the world by market share.

Our responsive products and technologies enhance automotive performance and industrial productivity while reducing energy consumption to unprecedented low levels. In the early 1960s, we set our sights outside Japan and have established over 200 business locations in 30 countries alongside a vast network of joint ventures and partnerships in all corners of the world.

Overview of B&K Vibro

B&K Vibro was formed in 2000 by the merger of German company Schenck, founded in 1881, and Danish company Brüel & Kjær, established in 1942. As a pioneer in continuous monitoring solutions for deep-sea oil rigs, B&K Vibro has evolved to become a worldwide leader in facility maintenance and CMS for rotating machinery such as pumps, turbines, compressors and generators.
The comprehensive range of products and services from B&K Vibro include vibration sensors (acceleration, velocity, displacement), vibration monitors, software, and online-integrated plant-wide monitoring solutions. These technologies enable safe and secure operation in petrochemical complexes, factories, power plants and wind farms around the world, where they form part of innovative production and maintenance strategies.