NRB Bearings Corporation has opened a new product development facility in Columbia, South Carolina on January 19, 2026. This marks the company's first step into manufacturing in the U.S..
The facility will support NRB's North American automotive customers, including companies like Meritor, Magna, Dana, Daimler's Detroit Diesel division, and BorgWarner. It will also help expand into the industrial sector.
Located on the campus of Midlands Technical College, this facility is the first part of NRB's "Made in USA" initiative. It will focus on creating locally developed solutions for friction products.
The center will handle all stages of product development, from design to delivery. This includes tasks like analysis, designing prototypes, and testing products. It will also work on creating manufacturing processes for the U.S. market.
The facility has a metrology lab for precise measurements as well as inspections for automotive and industrial clients.
NRB Bearings USA chose Columbia for this project because of its collaboration opportunities with universities, strong automotive engineering and manufacturing resources, as well as closeness to key customers. This investment shows NRB's commitment to the U.S. market, focusing on improving innovation, speed, and customer service.
The partnership with Midlands Technical College will aid access to skilled technicians and engineers, creating a strong link between industry and education. The facility will also lay the groundwork for NRB's future manufacturing operations in the U.S.