European users of NSK’s class-leading linear guides can now take advantage of NSK’s
new state-of-the-art cutting facility in the Netherlands. Based at the company’s European
Distribution Centre in Tilburg, the €1.6 million plant will enhance service levels for customers in key European markets that include Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere.
The opening ceremony will take place on 15 May 2024. Featuring guided tours of the
cutting plant, live demonstrations and presentations highlighting NSK Europe’s commitment
to innovation and quality, the event marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey
towards excellence in manufacturing. Although NSK Europe already has a linear guide
cutting facility at its site in Newark, UK, the addition of Tilburg will help to optimise the
company’s service level for these popular products across mainland Europe.
Eduardo Rodriguez, Director Seiki MU Linear Motion and Sector Director Industrial
Services at NSK Europe, says: “With customers across Europe demanding faster delivery
and response times, the new plant in Tilburg will allow us to deliver linear guides anywhere
across the continent in a matter of days. Located in the heart of Europe, the Tilburg site
triples our existing capacity and, with quality guaranteed, we are better placed than ever to
respond quickly to the needs of our customers.”
The opening of Tilburg linear guide cutting facility means NSK can offer a seven-day
delivery time anywhere in Europe. This meets with demands from customers using these
high-quality products, particularly those manufacturing automated handling systems,
packaging equipment and other common industrial machines such as metal shears. In such
applications, precise sales forecasting is difficult, so manufacturers will often order linear
guides at short notice. A rapid response from NSK is paramount.
At the Tilburg plant, NSK Europe’s expert production team can cut linear guides to custom
lengths, add chamfers to the rails, grind button rails, change the preload, assemble sliders
into rails, laser mark customer references, wash the products and provide industry-leading
packaging services to prevent any potential for damage during transit. Upon reaching full
capacity, the ISO9001-accredited facility will achieve a production output of more than 1000 pieces per week.
All of this is good news for users of NSK linear products, both ball- and roller-based
solutions. For instance, growing numbers of manufacturers are taking advantage of the
company’s NH/NS series linear ball guides, which offer 1.3 times higher dynamic load
ratings and twice the life of conventional guides. NH/NS series linear guides are compatible
with a variety of options, including lubrication units and dust-resistant seals, while complete interchangeability allows free matching of the rail and slide.
Similarly, NSK’s RA series linear roller guides deliver long operating life and high load
capacity. Users also benefits from high dust resistance and maintenance-free operations,
while the optimal size of roller ensures high stiffness values and reduced vibration.
Operating alongside the new Tilburg plant, NSK Europe’s existing linear guide cutting
facility in Newark will continue to serve customers in the UK and Ireland.
About NSK Europe:
NSK Europe Ltd. is the European organisation of the Tokyo-based bearing manufacturer NSK, which was founded in Japan in 1916 and today employs nearly 29,882 people in its worldwide operations. The products and solutions provided by the industrial and automotive supplier can be found wherever things move. In addition to nearly all types of rolling bearings, the company’s portfolio includes housed bearings, linear technology,
wheel bearing units, transmission and engine bearings. The company is oriented to perfection in all of its business activities. Its aim is quality leadership in its industry, which it strives for through a continuous process of improvement, excellent product development, optimised production processes and customer-oriented service processes. In fiscal year 2022, the more than 4,030 employees of NSK Europe Ltd. generated sales of over €893 million.
