Automotive News has published its annual list of the top 100 global OEM parts suppliers to auto and truck manufacturers worldwide, ranked by 2007 sales. The list includes "Tier 1" vendors, who are direct suppliers.

Several bearing manufacturers are among 2007's top 100. Several years ago, more would have been included because bearing manufacturers supplied more parts directly to auto manufacturers. Bearings today are more often classified as "Tier 2" -- components which are built into "Tier 1" preassembled systems and modules purchased by auto manufacturers.

Note the top two vendors supplying bearings are actively seeking to exit their bearing businesses.

Fifth on the Automotive News list for 2007 was Delphi Corp. with USD $22.2 billion in worldwide sales for 2007, down from $22.7 billion in 2006. Delphi, however, has since divested its bearing manufacturing plant in Sandusky, Ohio, and closed a bearing plant in Cadiz, Spain.

Dana Corp. (#19) - with $8.7 billion in worldwide sales in 2007, from $8.5 billion in 2006. Dana divested its bearing manufacturing business unit to Mahle in 2007.

JTEKT (#20, aka Koyo, up from #23 last year) had $6.7 billion in 2007 sales, up strongly from $6.2 billion in 2006. At just 15% of total sales, its North American market exposure is among the lowest of the leading suppliers. 21% of sales come from Europe, and 60% from Asian markets.

Mahle (#23) joins our rankings after acquiring Dana's thinwall engine bearing business. OEM sales in 2007 were $7.0 billion, from $4.7 billion in 2006. Acquisitions and limited exposure to the North American market (19% of sales) helped, as did inking 55% of sales in Europe.

GKN plc UK (#29) manufactures CV joints, propshafts and geared components.

Federal-Mogul Corp. (#41) produces engine parts, gaskets, seals, bearings and other hard parts. Global OEM sales in 2007 were $4.2 billion, from $3.8 billion in 2006. Coming somewhat as a surprise, F-M garners 61% of its sales in Europe, and only 31% from North America. Presence in Asia is just 7% of sales.

NSK Ltd. (#40) manufactures bearings and hub assemblies, steering columns, transmission components and electric power steering systems. With similar market exposure, NSK's sales gains could not match JTEKT's in 2007, hitting $4.0 billion from $3.8 billion in 2006.

Saint-Gobain (#54) jumped from #61 in 2006, on the strength of its sales hitting $3.3 billion from 2006's $2.7 billion. The company produces various specialty bearings, seals, and other products. 71% of sales come from Europe, the remainder equally divided between North America and Asia.

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings (#55) slipped from #50 as sales held relatively steady at $3.2 billion. although AAM does not manufacture bearings, as a driveline supplier, virtually all of its products include bearings. Fully 95% of sales come from North American OEMs.

Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG (#57) supplies KS engine bearings among other products. AT #57 last year, it held its place in line as sales grew to $3.0 billion from $2.8 billion in 2006.

NTN Corp. (#59) held its ground in 2007, with sales of $3.0 billion from $2.7 billion in 2006. The gains were largely from Asian markets, which account for 55% of sales. 25% are from North American OEMs and 15% from Europe.

Freudenberg & Co. (#61) manufactures bearing seals and molded components. It dropped from #48 last year, even though recording $3.0 billion in worldwide sales from $2.7 billion in 2006.

SKF (#92), the world's largest bearing manufacturer -- also offering seals and drivetrain control systems to the OEM market -- falls from #84 in 2006. The company continues to focus efforts and gains by targeting more lucrative industrial bearings. Even so, worldwide OEM sales rose slightly to $1.8 billion from $1.7 billion in 2006.

Timken dropped off the top 100 list in 2007, from #87 in 2006. Its high profile in the North American OEM market is coupled with ongoing efforts to limit automotive OEM sales exposure in general.

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