O.Mag SNR n°2-GB.qxd:Mise en page 1 20/02/09 16:00 Page 2

’mag [ O ] THE NTN-SNR GROUP PARTNERS' MAGAZINE N° 2

Innovation & technology New synergies in aeronautics

O3 MARKET IN O8 DESTINATION 14 REPORT THE SPOTLIGHT : Italy/Austria Tunnel: Machine tools: enthralling Land the longest railway taking stock and of the Rising Sun tunnel in looking forward O.Mag SNR n°2-GB.qxd:Mise en page 1 20/02/09 16:00 Page 3

O8 1O 14 editorial

IN SPITE OF THE CRISIS, MORE ROBUST, MORE RESPONSIVE, MORE RESOURCEFUL, TO HELP YOU GROW Mr. Sepulchre de Condé, We have different roots, but the same aim: worldwide growth! Managing Director, SNR Bearings. > Now united within the same Group, the NTN and SNR brands are clearly moving to work together cooperatively. The two companies are a perfect match technologically, geographically, industrially and commercially.

NTN is well known as an original equipment supplier, while SNR is firmly established in Europe. Together, we are working to develop tomorrow's spare parts market as far as possible. We have defined four target markets that promise particularly high growth: energy, transport, machine tools and & public works. In addition, we have assigned these strategic Magazine SNR Bearings - RCS Annecy B 325 821 072 – Editorial board: markets with sub-areas of activity that have very significant potential: , textiles, pumps, P. Désire - C. Donat - A. Rocher – Design/production: Lynéa Communication engines and turbines, transmissions and reduction gears etc. With our expanded product ranges, – Staff reporter: J. Traverse we can now provide optimum customised solutions in all of these markets. – Contributors to this issue: P. Ambrosio - E. Bernollin Wilson - C. Bianchin - P. Désire - C. Donat - T. Glünz - C. Idelon - F. Lesigne - New commercial challenges, new competitiveness goals in Europe, new reactive capacities in both B. Liatard - P. Meo - G. Mirabel - J.-M. Murison - S. Nakamura - G. Poloniato - A. Rocher - Research & Development and production; these new NTN-SNR synergies guarantee steady, D. Sepulchre de Condé - M. Weigele - V. Zanotti – Photos: SNR - NTN - DMG - EWS - sustainable long-term development for our customers. Fotolia.com - Blend Images/Jupiterimages.com – Legal deposit: ISSN pending The crisis will of course slow down this development, postpone projects; on the other hand, – Any reproduction in full or in part of this magazine is subject to our express authorization only thorough work today will ensure that we come out of the crisis quicker. – Printed in France - March 09. Contact: www.snr-contact.com www.ntn-europe.com

O3 I MARKET 10 I REPORT 13 I HIGH POINTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT ITALY/AUSTRIA TUNNEL: NTN-SNR COMMUNICATION: MACHINE TOOLS: EUROPE'S LONGEST RAIL THE NEW IDENTITY GROWTH WORLDWIDE TUNNEL 14 I INNOVATION & O7 I DISCOVERY 12 I QUALITY & TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENT THE NTN-SNR GROUP: NBCC, A PARTNER HYBRID? NEW SYNERGIES IN EXTREME MOTOR SPORTS DID YOU SAY HYBRID? IN AERONAUTICS O8 I DESTINATION JAPAN AN INTRODUCTION I NTN: A BRIEF HISTORY contents

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MARKET IN THE SPOTLIGHT O3 MACHINE TOOLS

MACHINE TOOLS: GROWTH WORLDWIDE

IN CONSTANT EXPANSION, the machine tool soar: + 37% in 2006, + 31% in 2007. With 14% of the market is currently undergoing deep and world market (€7.4 bn) and has overtaken Italy, significant changes in different parts of the which, as recently as 2004, was still ahead by €500 m. world: Japan's uncontested leadership, the Now, after a period of stagnation in 2006, Italy is “explosion” of , the emergence of South seeing new growth. With production up by 17% and Korea and , the resistance of Germany sales of €5.3 bn the country accounts for 10% of the and Italy and a clear decline in the US… our world market. wide-ranging report provides much food for thought. THE PREDOMINANCE OF South Korea and Taiwan (€3.3 bn and €3.2 bn, PRODUCTION: THE LEADERS approximately 6% of world production) reinforce the bn* With 20.4% of the world market (€10.6 bn), Japan is now predominant position of Asia in the machine tool 51.8 (or $71 bn). the planet's largest producer of machine tools. market. That was the value It owes this pole position to tight control of the With production down by 11%, the US drops to 7th of the sales of domestic market and rising exports throughout the place. Sales were worth €2.6 bn which represents machine tools Asia Pacific region. only 5% of the world market, comparable with worldwide in 2007. Germany however, with sales of €9.4 bn, is coming Switzerland whose production grew by 8%. up fast on the heels of the Land of the Rising Sun. Very far behind, finally, Spain accounts for just 2% of The difference between the two shrank from €2.6 bn worldwide production with sales of €1.1 bn and + 7% (2006) to €1.2 bn (2007). With production growing growth. steadily, + 17% in 2006, + 16% in 2007, Germany compared to 2006* today accounts for 18% of the world market. In third MORE LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT + 8%(calculated in euros). place on the global level, China has seen its production This classification is essentially quantitative and can This growth is even be refined by including additional considerations. The more spectacular when The top 5 machine tool machine tool market can for example be subdivided calculated in dollars, manufacturers (2007) into cutting machines and forming machines. In cutting since it comes in at +18%. The growth is technologies, the ranking is the same as shown essentially due to the Other countries above but when it comes to forming technologies, 15.8 bn euros Asian four: Japan, Italy takes first place, ahead of Germany, China and South Korea 30.7% Japan South Korea, Taiwan 3.3 bn euros 10.6 bn euros Japan. In exports Germany leads the field ahead of and above all China: 6.4% 20.4% + 37% in 2006, Japan, followed by Italy. In imports, China leads the US, though with some reserves as regards the publi- + 31% in 2007. Italy 5.3 bn euros Germany shed figures. 10.3% 9.4 bn euros 18.0% Hopefully, the current worldwide financial crisis won't China slow the growth of the very promising machine tool 7.4 bn euros * source: VDW, VDMA, 14.2% sector for too long. national associations, Gardner publications.

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O4 MARKET IN THE SPOTLIGHT MACHINE TOOLS

ROTARY TOOLS: MORE FLEXIBILITY AND IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY

DESIGNED AND LAUNCHED IN THE 1980s, now manufacture complex parts at lower cost. So ROTARY TOOLS were immediately and this technology strengthens their long-term competi- unanimously hailed for their specific qualities tiveness. » > and their competitive advantages. In order to understand their technical principle O’MAG: « What are the other advantages of these more clearly, we interviewed Thomas Glünz, rotary tools? » head of machine tool markets of the NTN-SNR T. GLÜNZ: « There are many, both in terms of flexibi- Group. lity and the rationalisation of sequences, or when you look at the whole machining O’MAG: « How is the machine tool market changing? » process. In addition to centred drilling, rotary tools Thomas Glünz T. GLÜNZ: « The machine tools available on the enable, for example, off-centre and radial drilling. European market, which is the geographical zone They also offer, a very wide range of solutions, whether that I know best, are increasingly sophisticated. The in terms of the tools themselves or their adaptability. trend in fact is towards machining ever more com- Above and beyond the standard models, there are plex parts using an increasingly limited range of many tailor-made variants relating to tool-handling machines. The implementation of rotary tools often resources that implement hydraulic ejectors or other allows us to reconcile these two aims. » options. Equipping a computerised lathe or machining centre with rotary tools undoubtedly enables us to O’MAG: « What differentiates classic machine tools increase machining precision. from those fitted with rotary tools? » Another non-negligible advantage is that tools can be T. GLÜNZ: « Basically, in a classic configuration, a preset before being positioned on the machines. fixed tool like a drill bit for example or any other rota- They are mainly used in the machining of metals, but ting tool, is assembled in a chuck or a tool-holder. In they are also gaining market share in the wood and these cases, the part to be machined is moved to the machining sectors. » tool. Conversely, on rotary machine tools the part to be machined is fixed. It is the tools that turn, driven by O’MAG: « Are these changes having an effect on the the machine through a coupler. » bearings market? » T. GLÜNZ: « Yes, because the use of rotary tools O’MAG: « What was the origin of this technology? » necessitates very high levels of precision and reliabi- T. GLÜNZ: « In the ‘80s, industrialists, and in particular lity in the shaft bearings. The quality of the bearings automotive contractors, had to face new challenges. used is vital here. It's a market in which NTN and SNR They absolutely had to reduce production costs and have been active for many years. manufacturing lead times of parts in order to increase The fact that both companies are now united means flexibility. Tool manufacturers responded to these new they can offer an even wider range of high-precision requirements by creating rotary tools. This solution angular contact bearings. » has now been adopted by a large number of com- Find out more: panies. By combining these rotary tools with digital see page 6. commands, small and medium-sized companies can

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MARKET IN THE SPOTLIGHT O5

PARTNERSHIP EWS: PRECISION IN MOTION

FOUNDED IN 1960 BY ERNST WEIGELE and medium-sized spindle bearings with customized AND HIS SONS GERHARD AND KARL, lubrication as well as ball bearings, taper and needle EWS Weigele GmbH & Co KG is one roller bearings. > of the leading manufacturers of toolholders The success of the long-term partnership is based for numerically-controlled lathes. Spotlight on a special supply agreement, on close collabora- on the success story of this family-owned tion with the EWS R&D department, and last but business and its future prospects, as told by not least, on the exceptionally high quality of NTN- one of its managing directors, Matthias Wiegele, SNR products. » the third-generation heir to a great tradition dedicated to precision in motion. DYNAMISM AND INNOVATION Matthias Weigele « EWS Varia, the fruit of our research, is the fastest A PHILOSOPHY AND A VOCATION manual tool changing system in the world. It was « Our production site is situated in Uhingen, between awarded the Prize for Innovation by the Land of Stuttgart and Ulm, explains Matthias Weigele. Baden-Württemberg in 2006. We deliberately chose to set up at this location in More recently, our company has also been recogni- Germany for a good reason – to ensure high-quality, sed for other inventions, such as tooth milling and competitive, and profitable manufacturing. contour turning cutters. We are also active on the world market, with subsi- We are also innovating in other sectors, and have diaries in Korea, France and . been using energy recovery systems which recycle Our products are used in all sectors which require hot air on exiting machines. In addition, we have a metal machining – automotive construction, medical 160kW photovoltaic installation at our disposal. techniques, the aerospace industry, and many more. We make an active contribution to climate and Our ranges include static and driven tools for environmental protection. In conjunction with the numerically controlled lathes, multitasking machi- University of Stuttgart, we are currently developing a ning centres, and production accessories such as new research project to recover and recycle lost assembly aids and presetting equipment. » energy. »

CLOSE COLLABORATION « EWS and NTN have worked in partnership for over 10 years now, continues Matthias Weigele. Today, the NTN-SNR Group is the preferred supplier for all applications. It supplies our company with small

EWS WEIGELE GMBH & CO. KG: KEY FIGURES

> 2 managing directors: Franck and Matthias Weigele > 7 3OO production space > 3OO employees worldwide, including 175 in Uhingen > 3 subsidiaries in Korea, France and North America > 25 OOO high-precision toolholders, 4 500 driven tools and more than 20 000 static tools and accessories > 5 5OO clients including Daimler, Chrysler, Siemens, Bosch, ZF and most manufacturers of numerically-controlled machine tools

The registered office of the company is located at Uhingen (Germany). To find out more: www.ews-tools.de

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O6 MARKET IN THE SPOTLIGHT MACHINE TOOLS

APPLICATIONS/TECHNOLOGIES “ULTAGE” AND “MACHLINE”: 2 BENCHMARK RANGES

IN THE WORLD OF MACHINE TOOLS, specifications have become more and more demanding over recent years. Higher speeds, increased efficiency, optimised surface states, etc. mean that users demand maximised reliability and are increasingly aware of the environmental aspects. To meet all these expectations, NTN and SNR have developed whole ranges that have become benchmark references.

NTN “ULTAGE” SNR “MACHLINE”

Standard range (79U, 70U) MachLine High Precision - Standard Optimised internal design and cages The SNR 71900V and 7000V series offer an excel- provide improved rigidity and reliability as well as lent compromise in terms of performance between better ball guidance and significant noise reduction. speed, rigidity, capacity and precision. The 7200G1 More efficient lubrication reduces and keeps series is specially designed for applications that have operational temperatures low. to cope with heavy, predominantly axial loads. Variants provide adaptive capacity according to High-speed series (HSE, HSF and HSR) contact angle (C for 15° and H for 25°) and preload > Ceramic balls (light, medium or heavy). Used in high-speed hybrid shaft bearing applications where balls are replaced by ceramic balls MachLine ML - High speed (Si3N4). These bearings are characterised by optimi- This family has been designed and developed to meet sed rigidity and low temperatures at high speeds. the strictest requirements of high-speed applications. Result: 30% more speed thanks to a specially desi - > Special steel gned geometry, reduced ball diameters, increased The HSE and HSF series offer an economical alterna- number of balls and optimised cage guidance on the tive using smaller but more numerous special steel outer ring. balls, These units, associated with an optimised surface MachLine® state and design, increase the performance of the MachLine CH - Hybrid bearing on all levels: better resistance to wear and All ranges, all series and all dimensions are available lower operating temperatures at maximum speed. in a hybrid version with silicon nitride balls and steel > New cages rings. The qualities of both materials are thus combined. The HSE, HSF and HSR series are equipped with Lower temperature and higher limit speeds, reduced machined phenolic cages or optional PEEK cages. lubrication requirements compared to an “all steel” To be adaptable to all applications, spindle bearings bearing, greater rigidity and longer service life. Ultage® are available with ceramic balls and various contact MachLine MLE - Sealed angles: 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°. Nitrile joints are fixed on the outer ring with no contact Optimised lubrication and sealing with the inner ring, thus enabling the same maximum All standard and high-speed bearings benefit from speed to be maintained as in an open grease- contact-free seals and are lubricated with special lubricated bearing. high-speed grease. This facilitates assembly and MachLine N - HNS guarantees operational safety even in hostile envi- A pure product of the aeronautics industry, this family of ronments. The special grease has been rigorously bearings is made of high nitrogen martensitic stainless tested and procures a significant N.Dm speed factor. steel with ceramic balls. Its performance is remarkable: It also helps extend the service life of the bearing. increased rotation speed, better resistance to wear Special bearings and greater reliability, better resistance to corrosion The technologies implemented to meet the need and longer service life. for higher speeds in the main bearing of modern ma- Precision self-locking nuts chine tools are also relevant for non-locating bearing Vital for any precision bearing assembly, especially units. Specific cylindrical roller bearings are now when you need to ensure and maintain the preload of available, even for high-speed applications. a bearing assembly over time or in the face of major axial loads.

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DISCOVERY O7

POWERFUL EMOTIONS IN CANADA

NBCC (NTN Bearing Corporation of Canada), a partner in extreme motor sports

NBCC, A DEDICATED

1 2 SPONSOR From 1989 to 1996: Exclusive sponsor of Weatherill Racing (Mike Weatherill). An oval 6 circuit for F1 racing, an ice track for high-performance snow-bikes.

5 From 1997 to 2OO0: Friction tests for NTN R&D with n°3, Brad Harrington. 4 From 1997 to 2OO2: 3 Main sponsor of the CSRA (Canadian Snowcross Racing Association). From 2OOO to 2OO4: 1 Super finished raceways - 2 Premium hardened steel construction - 3 Steel reinforced seal - NTN exclusive blue low drag seal 4 Special low temperature grease - Optimum grease fill - 5 Precision assembly - 6 Riveted steel cage Exclusive sponsor of the Polaris and Ski-Doo snowcross races with driver 717, James Dunlevy. ALMOST AS SOON AS IT WAS CREATED TOWARDS REAL TECHNICAL PROGRESS From 2OO2 to 2OO4: IN 1988, NBCC STARTED SPONSORING Exceptional performance in extreme conditions! TRADITIONAL MOTOR SPORTS. NTN Formula bearings have benefited from NBCC was among the main sponsors of Snowmobiler TV, FIRST THERE WAS CASCAR (CANADIAN multiple innovations and improvements derived one of North America's ASSOCIATION FOR STOCK CAR AUTO from experience acquired during these races: most-watched TV programmes. RACING), FOLLOWED BY FORMULA - optimised lubrication that has proven its worth. 1600 (CARS), THE CANADIAN SUPERBIKE NTN's special low-temperature grease has been CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (MOTORCYCLES), developed to retain viscosity down to – 51 °C where THE KOOL/ ATLANTIC SERIES ordinary lubricants freeze at – 35 °C, (CARS) AND THE NASCAR CRAFTSMAN - the lubrication rate of around 70% is signifi- TRUCK SERIES (TRUCKS)… cantly higher than the 33% obtained in normal THEN, DURING THE WINTER OF ‘89, bearings, NTN CANADA PLUNGED INTO THE PITILESS UNIVERSE OF SNOWMOBILES… - a double lip seal and low drag coefficient contribute to ensure optimum protection against A FANTASTIC ADVENTURE… aggressive external environments, Over 15 years (see opposite), NBCC has - SUJ2 (=100Cr6) carbon chromium steel guaran- sponsored numerous snowmobile competitions. tees long life and durability, Many of our teams have been stunningly - a riveted steel bearing cage resists breakage. successful. A large number of customers have DID YOU KNOW? been able to experience the races in person. Our Today, NTN's Formula ranges are fitted to quads Gilles Villeneuve (1950-1982), involvement has provided both superb prospects the legendary Formula 1 driver, for sportsmanship and a real proving ground for and trailer sleds, in-line skates and skateboards. started his career by competing assessing our bearings under truly extreme in snowmobile races in Quebec. conditions.

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O8 DESTINATION JAPAN

TOKYO OSAKA

BETWEEN A THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD TRADITION AND THE ULTRAMODERN

JAPAN'S ECONOMIC AT THE ANTIPODES OF THE WEST, REASSURING FUNDAMENTALS “ GROWTH SINCE 2002 both geographically and culturally, Japan is the All the indicators of the Japanese economy are green. ultimate land of extremes. Extreme sophistication GDP totals $4,911 billion, which ranks the country in HAS ESSENTIALLY BEEN in its secular traditions, stunning gardens, the second place worldwide behind the USA. This works BASED ON DYNAMIC legendary tea ceremony… Extreme enthusiasm out at $33,100 per inhabitant per year. Growth is CORPORATE INVESTMENT for the technologies of tomorrow. 2.8% per year, and the unemployment rate 4%. With AND CONSTANT GROWTH Here, electronics and robotics have been at the imports of $524 billion and exports of $590 billion, the IN EXPORTS. heart of daily life for many years now. Welcome trade balance shows a surplus of $66 billion. Japan's ” to the enthralling Land of the Rising Sun… main suppliers are China (20.7%), the US (13.7%) and South Korea (4.8%). A FASCINATING COUNTRY In different proportions these countries are also Japan's With an area of 377,829 sq km, only 30% of which is principal customers: US (22%), China (13%) and inhabitable and only 15% suitable for farming, Japan South Korea (7.8%) (2006 data). presents huge geographical contrasts, consisting of both deserted countryside and futuristic overpopulated AN ALL-CONQUERING DYNAMISM megalopolises. After a decade of stagnation from 1992 to 2002, the The country counts no less than 4,400 islands of all Japanese economy is now enjoying its longest period sizes and types. With 127.4 million inhabitants (June of expansion since the end of the war. Corporate 2007 census), Japan has negative demographic investment and exports are the main engines of growth: - 0.08%, since 2005. Life expectancy is 78 growth. They represent three quarters of the increase A 9% increase years for men and 84 years for women and Japan's in production since 2002. Corporate restructuring has +9 in exports in 2007 %was one of the main literacy rate of 99% is one of the highest in the world! reduced high debt levels, production capacity and engines of Japanese Other important facts: for centuries, Buddhism has employment, and laid the foundations for an upsurge growth. In the future, lived alongside Shintoism, the ancient religion of in investment. 50% of Japan's overseas sales Japan. The Emperor's birthday on December 23rd is The vibrant growth in exports has further improved are expected to be celebrated as a national holiday. Here, like nowhere profitability and created a demand for additional generated from other Asian countries. else, the weight of tradition exists on a day to day capacity. Tighter trade links with the countries of Asia basis in harmony with an extraordinary capacity for means these countries now absorb half of Japanese change, as shown by the respective shares of the exports. In 2007, they grew further by almost 9%, principal sectors of activity in the Gross Domestic despite a slowdown in US demand. Sources: Product (GDP): Agriculture: 1.4%, industry 30.9%, Japan is also very affected by the economic crisis; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and OECD and services 67.7%. even if 2009 promises to be very difficult, its motivation should allow it to recover as quickly as possible.

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DESTINATION O9

NTN: A BRIEF HISTORY 90 YEARS OF CREATIVITY, ACHIEVEMENT AND GROWTH

NTN is today one of the major players in the a unit dedicated to the industrial production of ball business of hi-tech bearings, seals bearings. In 1961, NTN started to develop its range and precision equipment. Let's look back briefly of needle bearings. The trend was now towards at the history of an industrial success story built internationalisation. The same year, the company on endurance and perseverance. opened NTN Wälzlager (Europa) GmbH in West Germany, then in 1963, NTN Bearing Corp. of Ame- The adventure started in 1918, when two talented rica. The sales network was extended to reflect the engineers Noboru Niwa and Jiro Nishizono met up company's determination to diversify. Thus, in 1963, and decided to join forces in Nishizono Ironworks. In NTN widened its range to include transmission seals, 1922 a Swedish ship sank in the Japanese port of which, still today, count among the flagship products Kobe, carrying a cargo of bearings that was directly of the brand. From then on, development accelerated: Yasunobu acquired by Mr. Niwa. The resulting business proved NTN France S.A. and NTN Bearings (UK) Ltd. were Chairman & President of NTN so profitable that he was able to buy three foreign- created in 1964 followed by NTN Bearing Corp. of made grinding machines, which he turned over to Canada in 1968. On 6 February 1969, the Iwata DATES CLÉS Mr. Nishizono, a true technological genius. The aim Works was honoured by the visit of the then Crown • 1918 was to become experts in the process of manufac- Prince of Japan, the current Emperor Akihito. Start of the adventure turing ball bearings, which they managed in less than at Uchibori a year. GROWTH AND EXPANSION… • 1923 1971: construction of a new plant in , initially Birth of NTN technology and BIRTH AND INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF NTN dedicated to the manufacture of tapered bearings the NTN brand, installation of the Company Headquarters in In 1923, Mr. Niwa founded Tomoe Trading Co., a then, from 1982, to transmission seals. Osaka; the company's first distribution company based in Osaka. NTN was born: 1987: looking to penetrate the US market, NTN bearings are marketed N for Niwa, the company's first investor and first purchased Bower Corporation in Alabama, then in • 1939 Chairman, T for Tomoe and N for Nishizono. The new 1996 BCA ball bearing plant. New site opens at Kuwana company set up in Osaka and immediately enjoyed 1998: NTN Transmission Europe was created as a • 196o rapid expansion. To cope with demand, a new plant joint venture with to produce transmission New production plant was opened at Kuwana, in 1939. Then came the war. seals. inaugurated at Iwata The steel and components warehouses were des- 2003: NTN invested in the German seal manufacturer • 1961 troyed in the bombing. IFA-Antriebstechnik GmbH also specialised in seals. Creation of NTN Wälzlager In 2007 finally, NTN took a stake in SNR. At the same (Europe) INTERNATIONALISATION AND DIVERSIFICATION time, NTN independently launched an ambitious • 1964 After the war, NTN resumed its activities to the drum- strategic plan under the name of "Sousei 21", which Creation of NTN Bearings (UK) Ltd. and NTN France S.A. beat of Japanese reconstruction. Carried by growth, can be translated as "Creativity, Achievement, Growth": in 1960 the Board decided to build the Iwata Works, a threefold watchword worthy of its founders. • 1969 Visit of the Japanese Crown Prince Akihito • 1971 A new tapered bearings plant > opens at Okayama • 1987 NTN Corporation Bower Corporation purchased ID card: (USA) • 1996 - HQ: Osaka, Japan BCA ball bearing plant - Workforce: 17,300 persons purchased (USA) - Turnover: 3.2 bn - Industrial sites: 44 (Japan, • 1998 Creation of NTN Transmission USA, Canada, , China, Europe Taiwan, , France, Germany and ) • 2oo3 NTN invests in German seal - Research & Development manufacturer Centres: IFA-Antriebstecknik GmbH 16 In Japan, USA, France and Germany • 2oo7 NTN takes a stake in SNR - Sales companies: 72 ROULEMENTS (France)

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1O REPORT ITALY/AUSTRIA TUNNEL

ITALY/AUSTRIA TUNNEL: EUROPE'S LONGEST RAIL TUNNEL

THE BRENNER PASS, (PASSO DEL BRENNERO AN ECO-RESPONSIBLE APPROACH

5OO OOOm3 per year at a IN ITALIAN) PHYSICALLY SEPARATES ITALY « For this installation, which is unique in Italy, explains rhythm of 100 to FROM AUSTRIA. G. Poloniato, we are developing a comprehensive 250 m3 per hour. It is one of the most heavily used freight transport approach which covers everything from energy saving These are the volumes routes between the north and south of Europe. to the infinite recycling of water. Hidden by a line of of inert matter that the It is also one of the most congested and trees, the site will be buried at depths of between 8 BETON EISACK rail routes on the continent, which means and 18 metres to minimise the impact on the nearby (Chiusa) installation will considerable inconvenience for all concerned. city of Varna and to reduce the noise of the screens ultimately be able to handle. Hence the proposal, which has been debated in operation. Rainwater collected over an area of The matter extracted for a decade, of a “Eurotunnel” 56 km long, 12,000 m2 will be stored in an 80,000 litre reservoir, to is of excellent quality, linking Fortezza in Italy to Innsbruck in Austria. be decanted and purified over and over again. Energy composed of 80% This Brenner tunnel is part of a huge undertaking consumption will be optimised thanks especially to granite, and represents a real opportunity in that will at some point in the future link Berlin mechanisation, with dust being treated by aspiration a region where there in Germany with Palermo in Sicily, Italy via a and mud by dehydration, to give just a few examples. » is an endemic lack 2,200 km long railway track! of raw materials for For the moment, the aim is for Europe's longest transformation. ( tunnel, emblematic of a new development model, A global approach to allow the progressive transfer of freight from ranging from energy road to rail. saving to infinite water recycling NEW EXTRACTION ISSUES ) Building a tunnel means managing huge quantities of material. As the material here is of good quality, it can GROUNDBREAKING ENGINEERING be used in the composition of the tens of thousands « The treatment process, G. Poloniato goes on, takes of cubic metres of concrete necessary for the con - place in 3 phases: primary and secondary crushing, struction of the Brenner tunnel or indeed be sold. rough grinding, and selection, washing and grading Aware of the opportunity, the BETON EISACK Com- operations, etc. At each stage, we are concerned pany of Chiusa has supervised the installation of a about optimising our processes. The grinding machines transformation plant that both respects the environ- are therefore equipped with vibrating screens that I ment and is highly efficient. developed with the F.LLI AMBROSIO company. Giancarlo Poloniato, the Director of TREVI IMPIANTI Thanks to the two-stage crushing operation, in addition SRL, one of the associated companies, explains the to normal material with a granulometry between 32 salient points of this new-style installation. and 100 mm, we obtain an intermediate selection of between 32 and 64 mm which should find interesting market sectors. »

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REPORT 11

EXPERT OPINION F.LLI AMBROSIO – SNR: A PARTNERSHIP BASED ON TESTING DEMANDS

Fifteen years later, this spherical roller bearing, which is now called SNR EF800 PREMIER, continues to provide us with total satisfaction both for its resis- CREATED IN 1960, THE tance in hostile environments and for the quality of its F.LLI AMBROSIO COMPANY lubrication. » designs and manufactures machines for installations O’MAG: « What are your requirements today? » dedicated to the transformation P. AMBROSIO: « Although this type of very special of inert materials. Its experience bearing has a relatively high cost per unit, we use the and expertise today make it entire range, from the smallest to the largest bore, one of the companies selected O’MAG: « What is the scale of your activities? » and from the simplest versions to the most sophisti- to participate in the gigantic P. AMBROSIO: « Wide and varied. We operate in dif- cated. Moreover, we are also retailers of this range of Brenner tunnel project. ferent areas such as power supply lines, sieving bearings to a variety of companies in the sector that In another future perspective, machines especially for composites, washers, mobile use machines produced by our plants. » F.LLI AMBROSIO is building a installations and so forth. Among other things we reputation in the design of develop technologies for conveyor belt feeders or O’MAG: « What are your projects, your perspectives? » machines for recycling vibrating grease separators, screens for washing and P. AMBROSIO: « The machines we produce, even processes: glass, paper, grading inert material, octagonal sieves for solid when they use standard and interchangeable com- plastics and solid urban waste. urban waste, inert material mixers, special machines ponents, are always tailored for the special require- The company has been a and equipment and so on. » ments of each installation. Given that we are geared partner of SNR's for some towards machines that are increasingly large and fifteen years. Why? How? O’MAG: « How did your partnership with SNR start? » more sophisticated, we need a supplier partner like We met with with Pietro P. AMBROSIO: « About fifteen years ago, we were SNR with in-depth knowledge in the area of special Ambrosio, Chairman & looking for a supplier of bearings for our sieving ope- bearings for all the types of application that we are Managing Director, to find rations which must be, as you know, one of the tou- led to develop. SNR assists us above all from a tech- out more. ghest applications there is, because of the permanent nical point of view, both in the choice of the most vibrations. SNR was the first manufacturer to design appropriate bearing, and in searching for causes in a bearing with the characteristics and qualities that the event of abnormal failures in the bearings. » we required. This bearing, specially designed and produced for sieves, needed to be both totally reliable and technically flawless.

> SNR EF800 PREMIER SERIES: SPECIALIST IN VIBRATING APPLICATIONS

Vibrating mechanisms such as those found in clearance after assembly, the rollers benefit from screens are among the most testing applications enhanced retention under vibration. C4 special for spherical roller bearings. The SNR EF800 radial clearance is positioned in the upper 2/3 of PREMIER series offers the optimal solution the tolerance in order to fully control final clearance thanks to its very specific characteristics: a solid after assembly. It is also available in class C0 and copper alloy (brass) cage, low tolerance ranges C3. and low internal clearances. On request, SNR will deliver bearings with reduced The single-block cage machined from solid tolerances on one or more characteristics: bore, metal minimises the resonance phenomena that outer diameter, precision of rotation of the inner cause fractures. Thanks to a side-shouldered ring etc. inner raceway and complete control of the final in situ

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12 QUALITY & ENVIRONMENT HYBRID AUTOMOBILES

HYBRID? DID YOU SAY

DID YOU HYBRID? > KNOW?

TECHNOLOGY MONITORING, CO2 EMISSIONS OF LESS THAN 140 G/KM The Micro hybrid has a Stop & Go system that MARKET OBSERVATION, IN 2002, 120 G/KM IN 2012, 95 IN 2020… causes the engine to cut out when the car stops (-8 PARTICIPATION IN FOCUS To meet increasingly strict environmental to -13% CO2 emitted). With the Mild hybrid, the elec- GROUPS… NTN AND SNR ARE standards, automobile manufacturers the world tric motor supplies power when needed (-30% CO2 ALSO TAKING ACTION ON THE over are focused on developing the clean car of emitted). The Full hybrid is equipped with a power- GROUND TO REDUCE CO 2 the future. As an obligatory stage of this quest, ful capable of driving the car alone over EMISSIONS. HOW? TO FIND OUT, the hybrid car has currently found considerable a few kilometres at low speed (-45% CO2 emitted). WE TALKED WITH BERNARD favour. We take a closer look by interviewing Finally, the Hybrid plug in is fitted with high-capacity LIATARD, HEAD OF SNR Franck Lesigne (SNR Head of Automotive batteries that can be recharged via a simple plug. AUTOMOBILE TRANSMISSION Chassis and Equipment Applications) and This last type of drive is currently undergoing tests APPLICATIONS Gérald Mirabel (SNR Departmental Manager, notably on the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius. « We are moving forward with two complementary working strategies. Equipment Applications). On the one hand, it's important to CHALLENGES AND PROJECTION realise that reducing the weight of a BIRTH OF A TECHNOLOGY One of the difficulties is to create a link between the vehicle by 10% cuts CO2 emissions The principle of hybrid technology combines two electric motor and the classic drive train. As a major by 5%. We are therefore looking to eliminate all non-vital material. motors, one a normal petrol-driven ICE, the other an player in systems, SNR is already working on This approach goes so far as the electric motor. Two engines under the same bonnet this issue by developing specific bearings subjected “downsizing” of the bearing, an may sound horribly complex but the results are to new stresses in terms of speed, acceleration, tem- approach that seeks to provide the incontestable: 12% more mileage and pollution perature and integration. The specification implies a same capacity with smaller overall dimensions. reduced by one third! technological revolution, and the solutions are at the At the end of 1997, Toyota launched the Prius, the limit of aerospace applications. This challenge is mo- On the other hand, as drag torque affects the energy balance of the first hybrid vehicle produced in series, to be followed bilising a 20-strong project team, a huge amount of vehicle, we are also looking to by the Insight 2-seater coupé introduced in expertise and a rock-solid capacity for innovation. In eliminate friction without impacting 1999. In 2005, the 3rd version of the Prius was awar- addition, the regulatory pressures are such that these functional efficiency: a mind-bending ded the title of European Car of the Year. In 2007, revolutionary technological developments must be equation! with the new Camry Hybrid, Toyota has harvested a developed in record time while nevertheless guaran- The most efficient solutions reduce torque by working on the materials new crop of prestige prizes including the very coveted teeing the same level of reliability as proven solutions. and on the design itself in order to “CAA Pyramid Award for Environmental Initiatives”. Our technical teams are required to deal with such propose revolutionary solutions. Since then, a number of automobile manufacturers issues every day. As a result, where we had only have launched major research programmes: General Even the very sober “Usine Nouvelle”* has attempted friction before, as in crankshaft plain bearings, we now propose a Motors are associated with Mercedes and BMW, to plot “a course toward the car of the future”. needle bearing solution of similar Ford with PSA Peugeot Citroën… each developing Excerpts: « 2012: first 100% electrical vehicles with dimensions. » an original solution. lithium-ion batteries... 2030-2035: the first fuel cell / hydrogen batteries become available... » Just a few of THEMES AND VARIATIONS the many challenges that we will have to face in the There is of course more than one level of hybridisation. future. *French industrial news magazine

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HIGH NOTES 13

COMMUNICATION

NTN-SNR: the new Group identity is built around values that are strong, clear and concrete

“DIFFERENT ROOTS", BUT THE SAME Echoing exemption regulation REC 1400/2002, a DETERMINATION TO WORK TOGETHER first message stated that « original quality is a AND SUCCEED. STEP-BY-STEP THE core value » and that « in OE or as spares, NTN NTN-SNR GROUP IS BUILDING ITS NEW and SNR products guarantee the same quality ». IDENTITY. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME Simultaneously, a second message highlighted MILESTONES ON THE LONG HAUL... the significance of the new NTN-SNR synergy. « We are uniting our skills, our experience and our NEW TECHNICAL SUPPORT products to offer you the best of both brands. » At the start of September 2008, SNR issued its The promise is signed jointly by NTN and SNR, first Automotive Aftermarket catalogue on CD- « Two brands, one group, one strategy ». These ROM. Compared to traditional paper-based messages are currently being put out on various media, this new tool presents a triple advantage. media throughout wider Europe, including the Though more compact, it presents the entire SNR Eastern bloc and North Africa. range in this field in 7 languages. More efficient, it comes with an optimised search engine. Finally, TOWARDS A NEW GROUP COMMUNICATION… now more complete, it brings together more than In parallel with these market-based approaches, 2,300 photos, product files and technical drawings. NTN-SNR is working on its new Group identity by stressing a core message that is clear and NEW IMAGES, NEW MESSAGES strong: one Group, two brands, with the will to The important shows in Autumn 2008 have en- grow together... abled the NTN-SNR Group to assert its new market positioning with energy and creativity. Our message at Innotrans said it well: "Innovation for your safe future." (see O’mag n°1). For Automechanika (2008), the Automotive After- market team designed a two-tone campaign.

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14 INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY AERONAUTICS

THE NTN-SNR GROUP: NEW SYNERGIES IN AERONAUTICS

NEW SCOPE, NEW AMBITIONS STRONG AND IDENTIFIED EXPECTATIONS > AND NEW GROWTH! « In the bearings industry, continues Christophe With a load of complementary geographical Idelon, we have seen the same phenomena of and technological capabilities, the NTN-SNR concentration. There were ten of us at the start of Group has been thinking hard about its 2000: today only four of us are left. This has led to strategy in the growth market that is strong market expectations from customers who aeronautics. don't want to be dependent on a single supplier but Christophe Idelon To discuss the flight plan, we met with prefer to have reliable alternatives. The NTN-SNR & Shohei Nakamura Christophe Idelon and Shohei Nakamura, Group, which currently accounts for more than respectively Aerospace Sales & Marketing €40 million, is rich in both geographical and techno- Manager and Deputy Manager of the logical complementarities. Our ambition must be to AERONAUTICS: NTN-SNR Group. become a preferred supplier in our three markets: KEY MARKETS & FIGURES engines, and drive systems & equipment. 3 main areas of activity: PROGRAMMED GROWTH In that perspective, we are moving towards a single « Over recent years, explains Christophe Idelon, we “Aeronautics Business Unit”, driven by a common 1- Engines (aircraft and helicopters) have seen major examples of concentration in the strategy on the worldwide level. » 2- Helicopters (especially transmissions) aeronautics industry. Globalisation has, for example, 3- Drive shafts and equipment given rise to four leading engine manufacturers who SHARED MOMENTUM (e.g. supply of propulsion unit together represent a large part of worldwide produc- Shohei Nakamura specifies: « We have already orga- bearings for turbo-prop aircraft) tion: General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce nised a number of exchanges between the Argonay and Safran. plant in France and Kuwana in Japan, and identified 1OO % synergies: Another important fact is that the development of a synergies both in manufacturing processes and en- Until now, the major part of NTN's gineering, and in marketing and sales. Our investment aeronautical activities has been new engine now requires such massive investment located in Asia - in Japan for the that even these great engine companies are having policy includes ambitious programmes both for the most part - followed by America to form alliances. It is worth noting however that, Argonay plant – €13.5 million over 5 years – and for and to a lesser degree Europe. although cyclical, the aeronautics market should see Kuwana looking forward to 2011/2012. Technological SNR's aeronautical activities are concentrated mostly in Europe, a global growth over the next two decades. developments are based on two essential expecta- in France especially, followed by Why? Two reasons combine to give us good visibility tions: compliance with environmental standards in America then Asia. on this market. On the one hand, US airlines will have terms of cutting fuel consumption and reducing The strength of these very comple- mentary sites will enable us to put to replace their fleets, which are ageing and use too noise. For example, our team is working on ceramic in place a new common worldwide much fuel. On the other hand, a number of emerging rolling elements that offer a significant advantage in approach designed to confirm the countries have increasing structural needs for aircraft terms of weight and a reduction in the effects of inertia. NTN-SNR Group as a major player and helicopters with, for the latter, pressing needs in In addition, we are developing cages made of PEEK, in the sector. oil prospecting and paramedical activities. » a high-temperature material that also leads to noticeable reductions in weight and friction, leading to reduced consumption and lower noise levels. »

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