Rohit Saboo, President and CEO at National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NBC Bearings)

September 18, 2024. By Aishwarya

We have developed two types of bearings for EVs, wherein the first is the regular low-noise bearing, and the second, as you correctly mentioned, is a sensor-based bearing, states Rohit Saboo, President and CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NBC Bearings) in a casual discussion with Aishwarya Saxena, Associate Editor, Energetica India in the backdrop of POWERGEN India 2024.

Que: Tell us about NBC Bearings and its key portfolio.

Ans: We are the largest manufacturer of bearings in the country. We also export bearings to the US, EU, Japan, South Africa, and other countries. Currently, the company has four operational plants in India—three in Rajasthan and one in Gujarat.

Que: From an electric vehicle (EV) perspective, can you tell us how your products, particularly your bearings, are transforming the electric vehicle landscape?

Ans: NBC Bearing started its EV journey about six years ago, well in advance of when the products were actually launched. Electric vehicles have specific requirements, such as low noise and low friction, which called for special types of bearings. So, six years ago, we began developing these bearings, and today, we are proud to say that almost all EV manufacturers in India, whether for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, or four-wheelers, are our customers. We also export these bearings to Europe.

Que: Regarding this year’s budget, there have been changes like tax reductions on certain minerals. How do you think this will impact your company or the industry as a whole?

Ans: The Indian Budget 2024-25 didn’t have a direct impact on the company or the industry as a whole. However, it will have an impact when we start manufacturing batteries in large numbers in the country. As the cost of this equipment decreases, electric vehicle prices will become more comparable to internal combustion engine vehicles, which is when EV adoption will really take off.

Que: Regarding NBC’s low-noise bearings, can you specify if the company’s integrating electronics or any kind of mechatronics components into these products?

Ans: We have developed two types of bearings for EVs, wherein the first is the regular low-noise bearing, and the second, as you correctly mentioned, is a sensor-based bearing. The sensors monitor the RPM and the direction of rotation, which are primarily being used in the two-wheeler segment at present.

Que: Does NBC have a separate team for these innovative low-noise bearings, or is the original team reskilled for this portfolio?

Ans: We have a separate team for this as we have hired mechatronics engineers, and have partnered with various universities in India to conduct research. We’ve also collaborated with companies that specialize in sensors to develop cost-effective solutions for the automotive industry.

Que: As your products are exported globally, do you think the upcoming US elections might have an impact on your business?

Ans: Though we cannot predict how the US elections will impact the auto industry, whether in the US or globally, but in the long term, this industry will experience growth. There may be short-term fluctuations, but the long-term outlook is still positive.

Que: From a sustainability perspective, can you tell us about NBC’s efforts to meet zero-emission targets set by the Indian government?

Ans: We are already working on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. For instance, we have invested in about 4 megawatts of solar power, which provides us with clean energy. We collect 100% of our rooftop rainwater and recharge groundwater. At our new plant in Bagru, about 40 kilometers from Jaipur, we’ve built a pond that stores up to 40 million liters of rainwater. We’ve also installed smart meters to monitor electricity use and have reduced wastage, which not only cuts costs but also reduces energy consumption. Additionally, we are in the process of eliminating plastic from our operations, having already reduced its use by 50%, and we expect to completely phase it out within two years. We’ve also adopted returnable packaging to lower our carbon footprint. These are just a few of the initiatives we’ve undertaken to minimize our environmental impact.

Que: Kindly mention the quality standards NBC maintain for their EV products?

Ans: The quality procedures we generally follow for our EV products are the same as those we use for all our bearings. The standards are slightly different, but the overall quality systems remain the same. We are proud to be the only company in the world to have received the Deming Grand Prize, which recognizes the quality systems we adhere to. This applies to both EV and regular bearings.

Que: Can we expect any expansion plans or new product launches?

Ans: Yes, we are planning to expand. Recently, we have set up a new plant in Bagru in Rajasthan, and we are planning to expand further. We are expecting to increase our turnover by almost 50% in the next two to three years, and we will be investing approximately ₹750 crore over the next four years.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}