Unlocking Growth: NBC Bearings’ Business Plans and India’s Vast Potential
Rajesh Premchandran, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer , shares insights into NBC Bearings’ forward-looking business strategies and the company’s approach to capitalizing on India’s growth potential. As one of the fastest-growing economies globally, India presents vast opportunities, and Rajesh explains how NBC Bearings is aligning its vision to support this dynamic market.
At Bauma 2024, NBC Bearings showcased a range of products specifically designed for the construction and mining sectors, both of which demand high-performance, durable bearings for heavy-duty applications. These products highlight NBC’s focus on reliability and performance under extreme operating conditions.
While India remains a priority market, our focus goes beyond national borders. NBC has established a strong global presence, particularly in the automotive sector, and is now actively expanding its industrial portfolio. As we continue to strengthen our footprint in the domestic market, we aim to leverage our manufacturing expertise to cater to international markets where demand for high-quality, cost-competitive industrial bearings is growing.
What’s the biggest innovation NBC has made in the last few years?
Over the past few years, we’ve observed two major shifts in the global market, particularly since COVID-19.
Firstly, there has been a significant increase in interest in India as a manufacturing hub. Many global customers are adopting a “China Plus One” strategy, seeking alternate sourcing options to diversify supply chains. India’s growing manufacturing capabilities and cost advantages have made it a preferred choice.
Secondly, global pricing pressures, especially in markets like the US and Europe, have prompted companies to explore alternate, cost-efficient sourcing regions. Beyond cost, the reliability of supply chains has become critical, with businesses seeking partners capable of supporting their operations even during disruptions. NBC has adapted to this shift by enhancing its production capabilities and expanding global partnerships to better serve international markets.
What features make NBC products stand out in the market?
NBC Bearings differentiates itself through:
Cost Leadership: Our cost advantage as a manufacturer in India allows us to deliver high-quality products with optimized pricing.
Local Availability: NBC’s wide distribution network ensures faster access to products across key markets.
Engineering Expertise: Beyond being a component supplier, NBC offers advanced application engineering support, helping customers optimize product design for enhanced performance.
Customization Capabilities: Our deep understanding of materials and metallurgy enables us to design solutions for demanding applications, such as compact, power-dense equipment requiring specialized coatings or materials for wear resistance.
Cross-Industry Expertise: Our experience serving sectors like automotive, railways, and heavy machinery positions us well to address the construction and mining industry’s evolving needs.
How do you balance cost efficiency, quality, and sustainability?
Quality is non-negotiable. Compromising on quality for cost reduction is not a viable approach in our industry. Bearings are critical components where failure can lead to costly downtime, making quality a key factor in purchasing decisions.
At NBC, we believe in value-driven pricing—providing competitive pricing without compromising on global quality standards. Our focus is on operational efficiency, continuous process improvements, and advanced manufacturing practices to maintain this balance.
We benchmark our quality standards against global competitors and invest in advanced testing and precision engineering techniques to ensure every product meets world-class standards.
What is NBC’s approach to sustainability?
Sustainability is central to NBC Bearings’ long-term strategy, both in product design and manufacturing processes.
Energy Efficiency: Bearings inherently reduce friction in machinery, contributing to energy efficiency. NBC has further optimized its product design to lower friction levels, helping reduce power consumption across various applications.
Sustainable Manufacturing: We have implemented renewable energy solutions such as solar installations across our plants to reduce our carbon footprint. Our energy efficiency initiatives are part of NBC’s ongoing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) efforts.
Green Materials: NBC is also working toward the adoption of green steel and eco-friendly manufacturing inputs, aligning with evolving global sustainability standards.
Localized Sourcing: To reduce transportation emissions, we aim to source materials closer to our manufacturing plants. For example, as regulations like CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) in Europe come into effect, localizing supply chains will become critical for market competitiveness.
Sustainability is no longer optional—it is a fundamental part of how we design, produce, and deliver our solutions.
How does NBC envision ‘Viksit Bharat’?
India’s demographic advantage, with millions entering the workforce annually, is creating a shift in economic power. Increased disposable income, faster wealth creation, and a growing middle class are driving consumer demand across sectors, including mobility and infrastructure.
NBC envisions contributing to Viksit Bharat by supporting the nation’s industrial growth with world-class manufacturing capabilities. Our focus on developing high-quality, locally produced products aligns with India’s self-reliance goals while simultaneously strengthening our export capabilities.
This transformation presents immense opportunities, making it one of the best times to be in India, where growth and innovation are happening at an unprecedented scale.
How was your experience at BAUMA 2024?
The response at Bauma 2024 was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the growing attention India is receiving as a global manufacturing destination. The significant international presence, including customers exploring India for sourcing and collaboration, reinforces our confidence in our growth strategy. Seeing the interest from global leaders strengthens our belief in India’s potential and validates our continued investments in expanding capacity, enhancing product innovation, and focusing on global quality benchmarks.