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NTN Bearings – Why switch? Strategic advantages for industrial leaders

NTN bearings offer a portfolio and innovation that simultaneously supports management goals – cost reduction, security of supply, and quality.

The official NTN HANDBOOK catalog, presenting NTN’s industrial products and services, is now available in Hungarian thanks to the collaboration between NTN and BEX. We have summarized its most important elements in the following article.

Global presence, local security

NTN operates more than 72 production sites, 15 R&D centers, and has an annual revenue of €5.7 billion. This scale and stability guarantee long-term supply security – a key factor for procurement leaders. In Europe, the NTN and SNR brands together offer complete solutions, from standard bearings to specialized industrial systems.

NTN bearing portfolio – everything from one source

  • Ball bearings – for general applications.
  • Cylindrical roller bearings ( with ULTAGE™ option) – high load capacity, long service life.
  • Tapered roller bearings – for combined loads, metrical and col series.
  • Spherical roller bearings – vibration-resistant, dirt-tolerant solutions.
  • Needle roller bearings – compact with high load capacity.
  • Bearing units and housings – quick and simple installation.
  • Linear systems – complete shaft and guide solutions.

Procurement advantage: the entire portfolio is available from a single supplier, reducing administration and minimizing risk.

NTN innovations that deliver business value

KIZEI® Spherical Roller Bearings

The industry’s first spherical roller bearing with metal shields on both sides. KIZEI® has twice the service life and one-third the maintenance costs of open barrel roller bearings; lubrication frequency can also be reduced to one-third. Thanks to its ISO dimensions, it is 100% interchangeable with existing open solutions, and the installation process remains unchanged.

The nitrided steel cage and shields are impact-resistant and corrosion-resistant; the designed operating range is -40 °C to +200 °C.

ULTAGE™ Cylindrical and Tapered Roller Bearings

The ULTAGE™ series of cylindrical roller bearings (and large tapered roller bearings) offer +16–24% higher load capacity, twice the service life, and +20% higher speed limits. In addition to improvements in geometry and surface quality, they are dimensionally stable up to 200 °C, making them ideal for the cement, mining, steel and energy industries.

SENTINEL™ Food Industry Series

The SENTINEL™ stainless steel deep groove bearing is made of 440C material with a 304 cage and reinforced nitrile seal. Spot-Pack solid grease (LP09, NSF H1) ensures that the lubricant does not emulsify or leak under vibration and centrifugal loads.
Operating temperature: -10 °C to +80 °C (top: +100 °C).

MEGAOHM™ – electrically insulated design

To prevent premature damage caused by electrical leakage current, NTN’s MEGAOHM™ series features a ceramic coating on the outer ring; the bearings are resistant to 3000 VDC. Available with a solid brass cage (L1B), typical internal clearance: C3 (C4 on request). The series complies with ISO 492, DIN 620, and JIS 1514 standards.

NTN bearing advantages for leaders

  • Cost reduction: longer lifespan, less maintenance, reduced downtime.
  • Supply security: global manufacturing, European logistics hubs.
  • Availability: As a strategic partner of NTN, BEX ensures fast and accurate delivery within 24 hours at competitive prices and with comprehensive technical support.
  • Flexibility: ISO-compatible dimensions, broad availability.
  • Sustainability: lower grease consumption, more energy-efficient operation.
  • Simplified procurement: full portfolio from one supplier.

Tangible business impacts

  • Maintenance cost reduction – for example, KIZEI® bearings can cut costs by two-thirds.
  • Improved production security – fewer unplanned stoppages, higher OEE.
  • Fast ROI – NTN technologies often pay back the extra investment within months.
  • Secured spare parts supply – long-term availability ensured.

Why Switch to NTN Bearings?

Bearing procurement is not just a technical matter: it is a strategic decision that determines costs and operational safety for years. NTN’s global expertise, broad portfolio, and innovations (KIZEI®, ULTAGE™, SENTINEL™) clearly demonstrate that switching brings both technical and financial benefits.

The real question is not whether it pays to switch to NTN, but how much time and money will be lost if we don’t.

Interested in NTN solutions? Contact our experts and let’s explore together how costs can be reduced and production security improved in your industry.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about NTN Bearings

How is NTN different from other manufacturers?

NTN is one of the world’s largest bearing manufacturers, with 72 factories and 15 R&D centers. Its products are fully ISO-compatible, covering all major bearing types. This ensures wide availability, stable supply, and easy interchangeability.

What makes the KIZEI® spherical roller bearing special?

KIZEI® offers double the service life of conventional spherical roller bearings while cutting maintenance costs by two-thirds. It is ISO-compatible, making replacement straightforward.

What are the benefits of the ULTAGE™ series?

ULTAGE™ cylindrical and tapered roller bearings provide 16–24% higher load capacity, twice the lifespan, and 20% higher speed ratings, with heat resistance up to 200 °C.

Why is NTN SENTINEL™ recommended for the food industry?

The SENTINEL™ series is made of stainless steel with Spot-Pack solid lubricant and NSF H1 certification, meeting the strictest food safety requirements.

How do NTN bearings help reduce maintenance costs?

NTN’s innovations – such as the KIZEI® shielded design – reduce lubrication frequency, resulting in fewer stoppages and lower maintenance costs. What’s more, as a strategic partner of NTN, BEX can deliver the required bearings from stock within 24 hours.

Is long-term spare parts supply secured?

Yes. NTN covers both metric and imperial sizes, with ISO compatibility and European stock availability ensuring continuous supply.