Gamet Bearings has confirmed orders in China for trial bearing sets from two leading machine tools manufacturers.
Gamet's tapered roller bearings provide ultra-high precision rotational accuracy.
They are manufactured with cone bore run-out tolerances ranging from just 0.5 microns to 1.5 microns and are supplied to manufacturers of grinding machines, lathes and turning machines, milling machines, boring machines, printing machines, coating machines, roll-grinding and edge-trimming machines in the steel industry, rotary tables and other specialist applications.
Stephen Smith, technical sales manager, said: 'Chinese machine tool manufacturers have for many years produced low-cost machines in huge volumes to service the domestic market.
'However, the Chinese government now recognises the fact that these manufacturers need to increase the accuracy of their domestic machines for use in their growing aerospace, defence and automotive industries, therefore, higher-quality components including bearings will be needed and these are currently not available from Chinese manufacturers.
Gamet's success in China is the result of hard work over an extended sales initiative lasting several years in which the company has learned the importance of patience and also of direct contact with potential customers in China, he added.
'In October 2008 Gamet conducted a technical seminar in China which was attended by approximately 40 personnel representing some 15 companies from a wide geographical spread.
This was received very well and laid the foundations to progress further.
'Although various communications were received as a result of the seminar, no concrete business had resulted.
It was then decided that a follow-up visit would be required to focus on a smaller number of selected companies that represented the best potential prospects for Gamet Bearings.
Smith added: 'During November, 2009, visits were organised to these key companies at their own factories for further detailed discussions about how Gamet's super-precision accuracy could benefit their machines.
'A good representative in China is vital to assist with the language and customs, and also to help select specific companies to focus on and develop.
This was confirmed during visits to companies in Beijing, Tianshui, Baoji, Chengdu, Shanghai, Nanjing and Dalian.
Colchester-based Gamet is part of 600 Group, a UK machine tool and accessory company.
Gamet has customers in more than 40 countries and exports more than 70 per cent of its output.
Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
3305 KOYO | 25 | 62 | 25.4 |
5307 KOYO | 35 | 80 | 34.9 |