Recently, when NRB Bearing’s results for the fourth quarter were announced its performance reflected 14% growth in revenue and a 27% rise in operating margins. That growth is largely on the back of a balanced book of business with a strong international order book and clients such as Magna , ZF, Borg Warner Daimler Dana, Meritor, Hyundai, Mazda, and Stellantis among others.
But NRB’s consolidated growth and Q4 also Profits jumped because the worst was behind them. “Our growth had been impacted in the past 18 months due to the massive fire at Waluj led to a total Shut down of the crank pin and planetary shaft line and damaged other areas and now all lines are back to earlier volume - and we have risk mitigated our company locationally. We lost sales for 18 months as we waited for new machines to arrive; however, since February 2025 all capacity and order book is completely back to earlier level and our growth is back! “ notes Harshbeena Zaveri, the firm’s Vice Chairperson.
While most auto component players are caught in a Catch-22 moment because of the shifting sands of energy transition from fossil fuel to EV powertrains. NRB has had the clarity to be decisive and embark on a 200-crore capacity expansion plan.
It also restructured its international business to better serve automotive and mobility companies worldwide and set up a manufacturing company in Thailand, five years ago. In 2021, this company, along with its subsidiaries in Germany and the USA, were consolidated under NRB Holdings Limited, a Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) holding company.
What droves the consolidation? The corporate structure enables promoter and top executive Harshbeena Zaveri to implement a unified global strategy, while maintaining a strong position and strategic initiatives that align with the broader objectives of economic growth and self-reliance in India.
When Harshbeena Zaveri first joined NRB Bearings Limited she first enrolled as a management trainee, learning about the organization from the ground up, and how the industry worked. She spent years in multiple departments to include HR, Finance and Sales and marketing before becoming Vice Chairman and Managing Director. Zaveri’s vision has been to transform the company from an old-fashioned bearing manufacturer to a technology-driven auto component manufacturer and that became reality in 2000, when she established a cutting-edge R&D and Innovation Centre.
The NRB R&D centre has in the last two decades serviced global OEMs and enabled the company to be a top-tier supplier to the world’s most futuristic next-generation vehicles.
But growth for NRB must be fuelled by both domestic and overseas business. For example, India's automotive landscape has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, fuelling the demand for high-performance precision bearings. These critical components power essential mobility applications such as gearboxes, steering systems, axles, and AC compressors, forming the backbone of the automotive industry.
For over six decades, NRB Bearings has been at the forefront of this evolution, revolutionising the industry with world-class products and engineering excellence. As India’s leading manufacturer of needle roller bearings and cylindrical roller bearings, NRB Bearings built a reputation for precision, durability, and performance. However, manufacturing precision bearings requires more than just technical expertise, it demands cutting-edge technology, stringent quality control, and a commitment to continuous innovation.
At the heart of NRB Bearings' success lies its state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure, comprising six production facilities across India along with one in Thailand. This expansive footprint ensures seamless supply chain operations and strategic proximity to key domestic and international OEMs. With dedicated export manufacturing lines, NRB Bearings guarantees just-in-time deliveries across 45 countries spanning five continents.
NRB has secured significant nominations as a Tier 1 supplier to global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for their upcoming Hybrid, Electric, and Agnostic vehicle applications, such as Isuzu, Volvo Trucks, Mercedes-Benz EQC & EQA Platforms and Stellantis Jeep Cherokee & Wagoneer Series and is nominated for Stellantis's first-ever electric 3-wheeler program, developed, and produced in Kenitra, Morocco, for MEA. This highlights NRB's successful integration of its core products, advanced design, and manufacturing technology into these innovative vehicle platforms.
To meet the ever-evolving demands of the mobility sector, NRB Bearings has heavily invested in its Engineering & Design Centre. Spanning a sprawling 35,000-square-foot area, this cutting-edge facility is equipped with Advanced design and modelling software, Benchmarking analysis tools and Simulation and testing systems.
With a portfolio boasting more than 3,000 custom-designed bearings, NRB has positioned itself as a single window solutions provider, catering to the unique requirements of diverse mobility applications. “Our vision is to be the recognised leader in the design and production of customised friction solutions, with a presence in every vehicle worldwide. To achieve this, we foster a culture that encourages innovation and rewards out-of-the-box thinking, leading to quantum improvements”, shares Zaveri.
Today, NRB bearings are in over 90 per cent of vehicles on Indian roads, a testament to the company's unmatched industry presence and overall sustainability and future-proof approach.
