Expanding Production at the Point of Demand in North America

Tokyo, Japan, April 16, 2013-NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) today held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its new automobile bearings plant in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico.

Approximately 70 people attended the ceremony and prayed for the safety of the construction work.

NSK President Norio Otsuka expressed his high hopes for the role of the new facility as part of NSK's expanding global manufacturing network: "From this plant NSK will supply quality products such as automotive bearings to the North American market, including Mexico, in a timely manner. By increasing the production capacity of automotive bearings in the Americas, including Mexico, NSK aims to build a stronger corporate ability to deal with exchange rate fluctuations as well as to further expand its business in North America. We greatly appreciate being given this opportunity to contribute to the development of Mexico's burgeoning automobile industry." City officials, suppliers, and many other guests also attended the ceremony and expressed in their remarks the hope that the new plant will contribute to the growth of Mexican industry.

NSK will continue to meet local market needs and growth in future demand by expanding truly local production that makes use of local resources and personnel in order to expand its automobile business worldwide.

1. Features of the new plant

Expansion into central Mexico, which has a well-developed automobile industry
Utilization of know-how and global human resources fostered over many years in emerging countries (managers from NSK production departments in South Korea and Brazil will lead the start-up of the new plant)
Manufacture of quality products through installation of cutting-edge production automation lines
Improved cost competitiveness (utilization of preferential duty treatment in the NAFTA region and advantageous cost of labor)

2. History of NSK in the Americas

First site in the Americas:
JAMCO Corporation (now NSK Corporation) established as a sales company in the US in 1962
First production site outside Japan:
Suzano Plant established on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1970
First production site in the US:
A manufacturing and sales company established through a joint venture with an American company in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1973
Sites in the Americas:
8 manufacturing sites and 20 sales offices in the Americas (two sites in Mexico: Mexico City and Monterey)
Sales in the Americas:
86.3 billion yen (as of the end of March 2012)

3. Overview of the plant in Mexico


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