For NSK, the acquisition is expected to strengthen its ability to meet customer demand for automation, labour savings, smart technology and environmentally sustainable solutions.
NSK Europe Ltd. is the European organisation of the Tokyo-based bearing manufacturer NSK. In addition to nearly all types of rolling bearings, the company’s portfolio includes housed bearings, linear technology, wheel bearing units, transmission and engine bearings and steering systems.
Brüel & Kjær Vibro (‘B&K Vibro’) are a global condition monitoring system (CMS) specialist. The company employ 220 employees and have annual sales of €52.5 million, with 43% of this figure attributable to sales in Europe. The company’s major markets are wind power (42%, over 30,000 installations), oil and gas (16%, more than 10,000 installations) and hydro and thermal power (7%, over 800 installations).
Condition monitoring is the process of checking a machine or system parameter, such as vibration or temperature, in order to identify a change which is indicative of a developing fault. The use of condition monitoring, which can take place while the machine is running, allows maintenance to be scheduled, or the implementation of other actions that prevent a major failure.
Saimon Nogami, Senior Executive Vice President, NSK Ltd is excited by the partnership. He said, “Bringing B&K Vibro into the NSK Group marks the start of an exciting adventure to drive innovation in the rapidly growing market for CMS solutions.
Solutions from NSK and B&K Vibro are key to ensuring operational stability in mission-critical infrastructure for wind power, hydropower, manufacturing and other sectors that influence the daily life of societies around the world. We will draw on our synergies to maximise our CMS business platform and achieve long-term sustainable growth.”
NSK’s acquisition of B&K Vibro will accelerate the development of its business platform in the growing CMS market. The core products of NSK’s portfolio – bearings, ball screws and linear guides – are vital components that directly affect the function and performance of machinery. NSK’s wealth of data and technology related to these components could prove invaluable in enhancing and developing B&K Vibro’s next-generation predictive maintenance systems, delivering new value to the market.
Marcel Van Helten, CEO, B&K Vibro, added, “B&K Vibro is truly honoured to become a part of NSK, a company that has set out to become a leader in condition monitoring. The synergies between our companies are evident, and with the combination of the talent and the knowledge residing within our companies, we will together be able to deliver exciting, innovative business and engineering solutions for our customers. We look forward to enhancing the NSK CMS business platform and accelerating growth in the burgeoning CMS market.”
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