Japan's NTN Establishes NTA Precision Axle Company in the United States to Produce Wheel Bearings

Japanese bearing manufacturers NTN, Takao Kogyo and Asahi Forging have recently established a joint venture in North America, NTA Precision Axle.

NTN said that as the US auto industry continues to grow, auto parts orders will gradually increase, and demand for hub bearings will increase significantly.

NTA Precision Axle specializes in the forging, forming and heat treatment of wheel bearings.

NTA Precision Axle will use advanced production technology to make smaller and lighter wheel bearings to reduce fuel consumption and improve driving performance.

NTA Precision Axle Co., Ltd. will start production processes such as forming and heat treatment in June 2011, and will start the forging process from February 2012. The company is located in Carol Stream, Illinois, USA, with a total investment of US$84 million and an estimated number of employees of 180.