INA Bearing

INA Bearings is one of the main brands of the Schaeffler Group that develop and manufacture rolling bearings, engine components, and linear guidance systems used in mechanical engineering and the automotive industry.

 

History

The INA brand was established in 1946 in Herzogenaurach by two brothers, Wilhelm and Georg Schaeffler. In 1949, Georg Schaeffler developed a groundbreaking product - the needle roller and cage assembly. With this development, the needle roller bearing became a reliable component used in industrial applications. Two years later, the company's first German subsidiary, Saar Nadellager oHG, was founded. In 1952, the INA needle roller bearings were used to replace the plain bearings in the VW Beetle's transmission. In 1954, at the "Deutsche Industriemesse" which was an industrial trade show in Hannover, the company presented the deep-drawn drawn-cup needle roller bearings. INA introduced the first linear guide - the flat cage - in 1955. In the next year, the company expanded by creating its first foreign plant in Haguenau, France, tasked with producing rolling bearings for the European market. In 1958, INA opens another foreign plant, this time in São Paulo, Brazil. In 1959, the company's MOTOMAK plant located in Ingolstadt started developing hydraulic valve lash adjustment elements. In 1967, the company introduces a new product - drawn cup roller clutches. Two years later, the company enters the North America market with its first office located in Cheraw, South Carolina. By 1971, the company is one of the first European manufacturers able to produce hydraulic valve lash adjustment elements in volume. In 1984, the company offers two new products: maintenance-free spherical plain bearings and rod ends. In 1986, automatic belt tensioning systems were included in INA's product range. The following year, Chrysler Motor presents the company with the "Q Excellence Award" for meeting their requirements for quality and delivery reliability. In 1988, the company starts producing ready-to-install ball type and roller type profiled rail units with high load capacity for machine tools. Two years later, the company opens an R&D center in Herzogenaurach. Within the same year, the company introduces hydraulic variable cam timers. In 1991, the company opens its first plant in Eastern Europe. The following year, the company also opens a new plant; this time in Ansan, Korea. In 1993, the company patents Corrotect® anti-corrosive plating and introduces the LSL cylindrical roller bearings with machined disk cage. In 1995, INA Bearings China Co. Ltd. is established in Taicang to produce needle roller bearings and engine components for the Chinese market. In 1997, INA develops BEARINX®, a calculation software that allows exact bearing calculations right down to individual bearing contacts. INA also achieves QS-9000 and VDA 6.1 certifications for all its plants. In 1998, INA introduces rotary table bearings with YRTM integrated measuring system. The following year, the company acquires LuK GmbH. In 2000, all of the company's plants achieve ISO 14001 certification. A year later, the company acquires the FAG brand. The three brands - INA, FAG, and Luk - are formed into the "Schaeffler Group" in 2003. In the same year, the company starts X-life, the quality seal for ultra-high performance products sold under the brands INA and FAG. INA also develops a new manufacturing method for synchronizer sleeves called metal forming. In 2005, the company opens a new plant in Brasov, Romania to manufacture linear products and components for the industrial and automotive industries. Two years later, the company opens two new plants: one in Pune, India and a second one in Taicang, China. At the same time, INA also introduces the twin tandem which is a four-row angular contact bearing that will replace conventional tapered roller bearings in wheel bearings. In 2008, the company builds new plants in Vietnam and Mexico. In a joint venture with Fiat in 2009, the Schaeffler Group develops and manufactures the world's first fully-variable electrohydraulic valve control system; the product is called "UniAir." The next year, the Schaeffler Group introduces its "Schaeffler Hybrid", a fully operational hybrid vehicle. In 2010, the Schaeffler Group made 1,600 patent applications, ranking them as the 4th most innovative company in Germany.

 

Headquarters & Locations

INA Bearings, as part of the Schaeffler Group, is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany with offices, plants, and service centers located in various countries in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Australia.

 

 

 

Photos Courtesy of INA & the Schaeffler Group