Considering the next 3-5 years, our vision is firmly rooted in India’s growth momentum.

Ashish Govil, Head – Industrial Sales, NBC Bearings

We would like to know how was the company’s journey since 1946? Can you throw some light on it?

NBC, founded by Shri. B.M. Birla, was established with a vision to bolster India’s self-reliance. Recognizing the pivotal role bearings play in driving various sectors, be it automobiles or industries, he laid the foundation for NBC bearings in 1946. Originally named National Bearing Company (NBC), the company later evolved into National Engineering Industries to expand its offerings beyond bearings to encompass a spectrum of engineering products for diverse industries. Despite the name change, the brand name NBC had gained such prominence that it was retained.

Since its inception, NBC bearings have been integral to Indian Railways, commencing a business partnership in 1952 that endures to this day. This enduring collaboration has involved close cooperation, developing tailor-made bearing solutions for evolving needs within the railway industry. Over time, our support to Indian Railways has expanded to encompass a range of allied products, extending our commitment beyond bearings.

Railway is a major customer for you?

Yes, Indian Railways is a major customer. We also export railway bearings across the world. We also have a subsidiary company, Kinex Bearings which is in Slovakia. That also supplies bearings to European Railways.

Construction and infrastructure have taken a boom from last couple of years and we are seeing a shift as we are the third largest manufacturers of OEMs in the world and we are set to become the second. Automatically, component manufacturers are happy that they are going to boom with them. Can you share your thought process where you stand in next 3-5 years?

The construction and infrastructure sectors have experienced a remarkable surge over the past few years, propelling us into a significant position as the world’s third-largest manufacturers of OEMs. Our trajectory indicates a promising shift, poised to elevate us to the second position. This growth inevitably extends to benefit all stakeholders within the industry, fostering a sense of satisfaction and progress. Considering the next 3-5 years, our vision is firmly rooted in this momentum. NBC has a longstanding presence in the industrial landscape, and our recent foray into a diverse range of products for construction equipment underscores our commitment to specialization. Our approach involves tailored treatments for the materials used in bearings, such as our expertise in black oxide coatings and insulation coatings—a proven innovation already adopted by railways through our insulated bearings.

Our focus remains squarely on serving the construction equipment sector. We’ve dedicated resources to develop specialized bearings specifically designed for this segment. Confident in our alignment with the industry’s growth trajectory, we’re positioned to evolve in tandem with the expanding landscape of construction equipment. This strategic emphasis underscores our dedication to innovation and our unwavering commitment to supporting the growth and needs of the construction equipment industry.

Which products are you focusing on for the mining sector?

Spherical roller bearings serve as a cornerstone in the mining sector, offering robust support. Our inventory boasts a comprehensive range of these bearings, available in various configurations including steel cage, brass cage, and customizable options tailored to meet specific customer needs. One notable advantage lies in our brass cage design, particularly in the innovation of a split cage. This unique feature significantly alleviates stress on the cage during operational use, extending the bearing’s lifespan and ensuring enhanced durability.

How do you ensure scalability compared to rising demand?

We’ve proudly initiated operations at our latest plant, marking our fifth establishment. The initial phase is successfully completed, setting a strong foundation. With ample space and a dedicated management poised for industry expansion, we’re committed to scaling up. Our vision is ambitious—to double our turnover within the next 3-4 years. Our expansion plans are well underway, aligning with this goal. Every effort is directed towards doubling our current output. Capitalizing on a thriving market, our focus lies on catering to major customers, particularly in the rapidly growing industrial sectors. We’re proactively preparing to meet this escalating demand. Looking ahead, our trajectory involves substantial growth in our business operations.

How do you ensure durability and reliability of your products?

In our Jaipur Campus, we house a robust Research and Development center. Currently, 165 highly qualified engineers contribute their expertise to this center. Their technical proficiency and deep knowledge enable us to guarantee that our products meet stringent durability standards aligned with customer requirements. Furthermore, this expertise ensures that our products are tailored to specific applications, ensuring longevity and reliability in their intended use.

What are your aftermarket initiatives?

For aftermarket, we have a separate vertical who have presence across the country. We are there globally also with channel partners based in several countries. In India, we have over 500 stockist and thousands of retailers spread across the country.

In light of consistent advancements in technological products such as IoT innovations and annual changes, the industry faces a persistent shortage of skilled labor, even within production lines. How does your company address or accommodate these challenges in relation to the demand for skilled labour in such evolving sectors?

Absolutely! In light of the industry’s shift toward Industry 4.0 digitalization, our Jaipur plant underwent a significant transformation. We’ve successfully converted our legacy machines into connected ones, marking a crucial step forward. This transition has been accompanied by comprehensive training for all our workers and staff members, ensuring their familiarity with these new technologies. Moreover, our office has embraced a paperless attendance system. Employees now simply scan
their faces upon arrival, streamlining our administrative processes. Our commitment to digitalization extends beyond this; we’ve provided training not only on these new systems but also on various other digital tools. As an example, our training programs are now conducted digitally using Oculus lenses, enabling immersive virtual experiences. This approach ensures that our skilled workforce remains adept and updated with the evolving technological landscape.

What are your growth priorities for the next 5-10 years?

We’ve recently ventured into the aerospace sector, focusing particularly on developing precision bearings for aerospace applications. Our subsidiary in Slovakia is already working with the aerospace industry. Our immediate goal involves a significant expansion of our global exports, having established a presence in over 30 countries. However, we aspire to extend this reach even further. With a newly established office in Switzerland as our focal point, our ambitions for growth are high. Complementing this, we’ve assembled a dedicated team in the USA. Moreover, our technology center in Germany houses adept application engineers and researchers catering to regional research needs. Our emphasis is on rapid expansion within export markets.

Simultaneously, within the domestic sphere, we’re targeting growth within the industrial segment, perceiving substantial opportunities for development. While already dominating the automotive sector in terms of market share and making strides in railways, our strategic focus lies on unlocking growth within the broader industrial domain.

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