21 Thrust Needle Bearing Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for thrust needle bearings as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 21 thrust needle bearing manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked thrust needle bearing companies as of November, 2024: 1.Quality Bearings & Components - QBC, 2.TRITAN, 3.VXB Ball Bearings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Thrust Needle Roller Bearing?
A thrust needle roller bearing consists of needle rollers and retainers, designed to support axial thrust loads (parallel to the shaft's center).
Figure 1: Thrust Needle Roller Bearing and Thrust Load
Thrust needle roller bearings are the most compact among all thrust bearings. They allow for high-speed rotation without generating significant friction.
A thrust needle roller bearing is a thrust bearing with needle rollers as rolling elements.
Uses of Thrust Needle Roller Bearings
Figure 2: Application of Thrust Needle Roller Bearing
Thrust needle roller bearings are rigid, compact, and capable of handling large loads and high speeds, making them suitable for various applications.
In automobiles, they are used in areas supporting high axial loads, such as engines and differential gears, and as bearings in automatic transmissions. Other applications include machine tools, robots, aircraft, and industrial machinery.
Figure 1 illustrates their use in a winch with a worm gear, where the worm attached to the motor output shaft exerts a thrust load towards the center of the worm shaft. A thrust needle roller bearing is incorporated to prevent the load from affecting the motor output shaft.
Principle of Thrust Needle Roller Bearings
Figure 3: Shaft Guide and Housing Guide
Thrust needle roller bearings feature needle rollers arranged in a circumferential pattern, with retainers maintaining the spacing between rollers and allowing each to rotate independently. This design supports high loads through linear contact, with a small contact area that results in low friction, even at high rotational speeds.
Thrust needle roller bearings can be mounted in two ways:
- Shaft Guided (Bore Guided): Large clearance between the shaft and bearing inner side, with a small clearance between the housing and bearing outer side.
- Housing Guided (Od Guided): Large clearance between the housing and bearing outer side, with a small clearance between the shaft and bearing inner side.
They are primarily used with shaft guideways and are recommended for high-speed rotation applications.
Types of Thrust Needle Roller Bearings
Figure 4: Bearing Type System
Roller bearings are broadly classified into ball bearings and roller bearings, which are further categorized into radial and thrust roller bearings, respectively. Thrust needle roller bearings fall under the thrust roller bearing category.
Depending on the roller shape, there are needle rollers, cylindrical rollers, and tapered rollers. Thrust needle roller bearings come in separated and non-separated types, distinguished by whether the needle roller and retainer can be detached from the thrust race or are integral and non-detachable.
Figure 5: Types of Thrust Needle Roller Bearings
Separate types can be used either with the retainer and needle roller between the thrust races or without a thrust race. For bearings without a thrust race, the needle roller contact surfaces must be finely ground and hardened. Thrust races come in two types: shaft guideway and housing guideway.
List of 21 Thrust Needle Bearing Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
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- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- India
- Japan
- Singapore
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
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VXB Ball Bearings
Needle roller thrust bearings
Manufacturer Overview
VXB Ball Bearings, an online store, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision ball bearings and related products. Established in 1958, the company is headquartered in California, United States, and it specializes in manufacturing and supplying a comprehensive range of ball bearings, including radial, thrust, and miniature bearings, to a variety of industries such as automotive, industrial machinery, and robotics. Its product catalog includes Tapered Roller Bearings, Groove Bearings, Turntables Lazy Susans, Steel and Ceramis Balls, among others.
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CB Engineering Pacific Inc.
Needle roller thrust bearings
Manufacturer Overview
CB Engineering Pacific Inc., founded in 1992, is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, USA, as a manufacturer specializing in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering solutions. The company offers diverse engineering services, including mechanical system optimization, electrical power distribution, and civil infrastructure solutions. It has received awards such as the "Excellence in Engineering Award" (2015) and the "Innovator of the Year Award" (2019). It holds industry certifications, including the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System. It caters to the construction, energy, transportation, and manufacturing sectors.
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Schaeffler Group USA Inc.
Needle roller thrust bearings
Manufacturer Overview
Schaeffler Group USA Inc. (SGUS) is an American manufacturer and supplier of automotive products and solutions established in 1946 as the North American subsidiary of the Shaeffler Group, which operates globally. Based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, the company manufactures standard engine, transmission and chassis products such as torsion dampers, valve train systems, and camshaft phasing units. They also produce aftermarket repair solutions like clutch and release systems, as well as various industrial bearings and linear motion systems. SGUS primarily supplies the automotive sector, as well as the industrial operations of various industries including rail, green energy, and aerospace.
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Manufacturer Overview
TRITAN Bearings and Power Components is a manufacturer of advanced technology machinery as well as world class power transmission products. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Hauppauge, New York. The company's product portfolio includes radial ball bearings, spherical plain bearings, tapered roller bearings, mounted ball bearing units, and power transmission products. The company uses heat-treated select alloy steel, advanced quality control, and testing systems to manufacture quality products that meet the specifications of its customers.
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Quality Bearings & Components - QBC
Axial Needle Roller Thrust Bearings
Distributor Overview
Quality Bearings & Components (QBC) has been a distributor of bearings and related motion control components since 1950. The company is under the Designatronics division, headquartered in New York, USA. The company supplies various bearings, such as ball, roller, thrust, and spherical plain bearings. These components are critical in reducing friction and facilitating smooth motion in machinery and equipment. The company also has other motion components, including bushings, rod ends and linkages, linear motion products, pillow blocks and flanges, and shafting. The company serves a broad customer across various industries, including manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, agriculture, and industrial machinery.
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JTEKT Corporation
Needle Bearing
Manufacturer Overview
JTEKT was born from the merger of bearing maker Koyo Seiko and machine tool maker Toyoda Machine Works. JTEKT focuses on environmental sustainability to create automotive-specific components as well as industry-agnostic components including sensors, gears, displays, storage devices, and hydraulic units. JTEKT also creates and designs machine tools and equipment necessary for machine production. JTEKT is also developing "internet of everything" (IoE) solutions for modern industry.
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National Engineering Industries Ltd
Needle roller thrust bearings
Manufacturer Overview
NEI Ltd., formed in 1946 and located in Jaipur, India, is a manufacturer of various types of bearings and the like. The company provides the market with ball bearings, cylinder roller bearings, and needle roller bearings. It also crafts railway bearings, spherical roller bearings, taper roller bearings, and special products. A ball bearing uses balls to maintain separation between its moving parts and serves the purpose of reducing rotational friction while supporting both radial and axial loads.
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NSK Ltd.
Needle roller thrust bearings
Manufacturer Overview
NSK Ltd., based in Japan, is a manufacturer of precision bearings and motion control solutions which started its journey in 1916. The company has established itself as a major supplier for multiple industries, including automotive, industrial machinery, and aerospace. Their extensive product portfolio encompasses ball bearings, roller bearings, and linear motion components. Their Motion & Control products and technologies support the motion that brings comfort and convenience in cars, planes, wind turbines, satellites, and almost anything with moving parts.
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NTN Corporation
Needle roller thrust bearings
Manufacturer Overview
NTN Corporation established in 1918, is a precision machinery manufacturer that researches, develops, and sells bearings and driveshafts (CVJs) based in Japan. Their main products, bearings are essential and precision components that support rotation of machinery. They are used in different types of machinery including automobiles, wind turbines, rolling stocks, and others to support the lives of people around the world. The group has 212 bases in 34 countries around the world (118 sales bases, 72 manufacturing bases, 15 R&D bases, and 7 other bases as of the end of March 2023).
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Manufacturer Overview
SKF UK is the British division of SKF, originally founded in 1907 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. SKF designs, develops, and manufacturers bearings, seals, lubrication systems, and services worldwide, with industrial and automotive segments, providing solutions for industries including aerospace, agriculture, transportation, food and beverage, general machinery, material handling, mining, energy, paper, and wind energy. SKF UK offers rolling bearings, mounted bearings, automotive seals, lubrication management, vehicle aftermarket services, waste electric products, and electronic equipment products as well as services including maintenance, remanufacturing, customization, and training.
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National Precision Bearing Group of Mechatronics, Inc.
Thrust Needle Roller Bearings Inch
Manufacturer Overview
National Precision Bearing Group of Mechatronics, Inc. established in 1979 and based in Preston, Washington, USA, is an AS9100/ISO9001-certified manufacturer and supplier of bearings and motion-related products. The company's product range includes ball bearings, miniature bearings, bushings, airframe control bearings, and spherical plain bearings. These products play a crucial role in facilitating motion and reducing friction, providing services to industries such as aerospace, industrial, medical and dental, precision, and defense. The company offers services such as cleaning and lube facilities, bearing analysis, quality/ISO assessment, packaging, and stocking programs.
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NTN-SNR
NEEDLE ROLLER BEARINGS
Manufacturer Overview
NTN-SNR, established in 1916 and headquartered in Annecy, France, is a manufacturer of industrial machinery spare parts and bearings. The company specializes in manufacturing various products, including bearings, linear modules, constant velocity joints, tensioners, vehicle spare parts, and servicing equipment. It adheres to ISO 9001 and ISO/TS 16949 certifications for precision, stability, and extended product lifespans. Its comprehensive product offerings serve various industries, including automotive, aerospace, railway, agriculture, and industrial manufacturing, providing essential components and solutions that play a critical role in the performance and efficiency of machinery and vehicles worldwide.
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Manufacturer Overview
igus GmbH, established in 1964 and based in Cologne, Germany, is a manufacturer and distributor of technical products made using polymers for movement. Its products include injection molding frames, motor control systems, and plain bearings, and it has over 240,000 products in over 1,000,000 variations. It serves 188,000 companies from over 80 countries worldwide in 50 different industries, including packaging, automotive, and renewable energy. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 certified, and in 2023, it recorded €1.115 billion in sales. Since 2021, the company has purchased 380 new injection-molding machines and has replaced 275 old ones.
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IKO International
Needle roller thrust bearings
Manufacturer Overview
IKO International was established in 1950 and is headquartered in Himeji, Japan. As a certified ISO 9001:2015, the company is a manufacturer of needle bearings, linear motion rolling guides, and precision positioning tables. Its products are used in a wide variety of applications, including industrial machinery, robotics, and medical equipment. The company's product range includes needle bearings, linear motion rolling guides, and precision positioning tables and are used in some of the world's advanced machines. IKO International has over 6,000 employees and operates in more than 50 countries.
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ROLLAX GmbH & Co. KG
Thrust Needle Bearings
Company Overview
ROLLAX GmbH & Co. KG, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Bad Salzuflen, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of automotive products. The company mainly provides custom-designed systems and system components in the area of ball bearing technology and other mechanics. Its range of bearings includes suspension strut bearings, steering bearings and a whole lineup for e-mobility and autonomous driving. It also provides motion mechanism solutions such as pins, sleeves and seat height adjusters. The company's quality management system is IATF 16949 certified for automotive standards.
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NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.
Needle Roller Bearings
Company Overview
Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd. - IKO is based in Japan and was established in 1950 as a manufacturer of bearings. The company designs Linear Motion Rolling guides and Mechatronics series and they were the first to produce Needle Roller Bearings. These products have vast applications in various industries as they are used in Electronics-related Devices and Equipment like semiconductors and for precision devices that are used in laboratory measuring instruments and medical equipment. Textile, printing, construction, transportation, and robotics are also on the list of industries that benefit from IKO products.
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MIDLAND BEARINGS LTD
Needle roller thrust bearings
Company Overview
Midland Bearings Ltd., headquartered in the West Midlands, has been a supplier and distributor of bearings since 1984. The company maintains an extensive inventory of over twenty million items, specializing primarily in Chinese, Japanese, and Western European branded products. It provides supplies to the bearing trade and original equipment manufacturers across the UK and Western Europe. Its diverse product range includes miniature bearings, spherical roller bearings, needle roller bearings, rod end bearings, and plain spherical bearings. It also holds substantial stocks of branded products from INA, RHP, and SKF.
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Motion Industries, Inc.
THRUST BEARINGS
Company Overview
MiMotion was founded in 1946 in Birmingham, Alabama and today operates under Genuine Parts Company. The company operates as a distributor and supplier of custom parts for both maintenance repair and operating replacement part market and the OEM market. The company’s product line includes many types of products including abrasives, chemicals & lubricants, hand & power tools, hose & fittings, and process pumps & equipment. The company also provides maintenance repair and operating replacement parts as well as OEM parts ensuring compatibility with existing customer operations.
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SLS Bearings (S) Pte Ltd
Needle Roller Thrust Bearings
Distributor Overview
SLS Bearings (S) Pte. Ltd., established in 1963 and headquartered in Singapore, is a specialized distributor and supplier of mechanical systems and components. With a history of engineering and machine production, the company has the know-how and relationships to provide a wide range of automation, linear motion, and power transmission products. It also provides pneumatic, mechanical, and hydraulic components for various systems, such as air compressors, material handling systems, and industrial tools. The company provides consulting to all clients to help them choose the right components for their needs.
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Simply Bearings Ltd
Needle Thrust Bearings
Distributor Overview
QuaSimply Bearings Ltd, established in 2004 and based in Lancashire, UK, is an online supplier of bearings, oil seals and power transmission products. The company's range of products include types of bearings, power transmission products, balls & rollers, cycling products and engineering parts. Its metric and imperial bearings are used in automobiles, engines, gearboxes, agricultural and packaging industries. The company was assessed and upgraded by BSI to the new ISO 9001:2015 standard.
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Thrust Needle Bearing Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quality Bearings & Components - QBC |
16.7%
|
| 2 | TRITAN |
16.7%
|
| 3 | VXB Ball Bearings |
11.1%
|
| 4 | National Precision Bearing Group of Mechatronics, Inc. |
11.1%
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| 5 | JTEKT Corporation |
11.1%
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| 6 | ROLLAX GmbH & Co. KG |
5.6%
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| 7 | National Engineering Industries Ltd |
5.6%
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| 8 | MIDLAND BEARINGS LTD |
5.6%
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| 9 | CB Engineering Pacific Inc. |
5.6%
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| 10 | Schaeffler Group USA Inc. |
5.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the thrust needle bearing page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- JTEKT Corporation: 46,053
- NSK Ltd.: 30,577
- NTN Corporation: 23,027
Newly Established Company
- Nodes Technology Co., Ltd.: 2007 (17 years ago)
- MIDLAND BEARINGS LTD: 1984 (40 years ago)
- SLS Bearings (S) Pte Ltd: 1963 (61 years ago)
Company with a History
- SKF: 1907 (117 years ago)
- NSK Ltd.: 1916 (108 years ago)
- NTN Corporation: 1918 (106 years ago)
Thrust Needle Bearing Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
- VXB Ball Bearings
- CB Engineering Pacific Inc.
- Schaeffler Group USA Inc.
- TRITAN
- Quality Bearings & Components - QBC
Global Distribution of Thrust Needle Bearing Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
5 | 31.3% |
Japan
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4 | 25.0% |
United Kingdom
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2 | 12.5% |
India
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1 | 6.3% |
Sweden
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1 | 6.3% |
Germany
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1 | 6.3% |
Hong Kong
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1 | 6.3% |
Singapore
|
1 | 6.3% |
