2013

July 8, 2013

Announcement of the Acquisition of Shares of CEROBEAR GmbH of Germany by New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc., Minebea's Subsidiary in the United States

Minebea Co., Ltd. ("Minebea") hereby announces the acquisition of all shares of CEROBEAR GmbH (Head office: Herzogenrath, Germany, "CEROBEAR") by New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. ("NHBB"), Minebea's subsidiary in the U.S.A. CEROBEAR manufactures and markets ceramic bearings and hybrid bearings to be used in a wide variety of industries such as aerospace, medical equipment, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, machine tool, food and beverage packaging devices, and motorsports.

Purpose of Share Acquisition

As the renowned world leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of ceramic bearings that feature highly advanced ceramic material technology and hybrid bearings that make use of high performance steel materials, CEROBEAR has substantial experience in the industry for more than 20 years. CEROBEAR manufactures and markets special ceramic bearings and hybrid bearings, with their sizes ranging from internal diameters of 5mm to external diameters of 420mm for use in a wide range of applications such as in the aerospace industry in the United States and Europe, medical equipment, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, machine tool, food and beverage packaging devices, and motorsport manufacturers where high qualities under unusual circumstances such as high speed, low friction, advanced corrosion resistance, and high quality performance under arid conditions are required at all times.

As its subsidiaries, Minebea has NHBB having the advantage in the supply of bearings products to aerospace and medical equipment companies, as in the case of CEROBEAR, and in Europe, myonic GmbH ("myonic") which has a competitive advantage in providing special bearings to be used in dental, medical equipment and aerospace industries. Upon the implementation of CEROBEAR's innovative ceramic technologies, Minebea will be able to expand the sales centering around aerospace industries and broaden its product line-ups. In addition to maintaining Minebea's traditional specialized field of excellence in the manufacture of miniature and small-sized bearings, Minebea strives to accelerate new developments of specially-designed bearings for use in aerospace industries, thereby contributing to providing most suitable and useful products to customers and establishing its competitive edge.

Since it is expected that the aerospace industry in Europe and the United States will have significant growth potential in the context of booming demand, Minebea aims to enhance its profitability by way of expanding the sales of our products centering around the said industry.

Outline of CEROBEAR

Products

Ceramic self-aligning roller bearing

Hybrid bearings for the use in accessory gear boxes

Back to Press Release List

It ends about main text.