National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NBC Bearings) is entering a new phase of diversification, expanding beyond its established bearings business into aerospace, space, automotive aftermarket and emerging technology areas. The company has recently begun supplies to key Indian aerospace and space manufacturers after investing around four years in research and development, while also launching a new range of automotive aftermarket products under the NBC brand.
For Mr. Rohit Saboo, President & CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd., the strategy is to build on NBC’s engineering strengths while preparing for changing mobility technologies. The company serves automotive, industrial, railways and aerospace applications, with a manufacturing footprint across Rajasthan and Gujarat and a network of more than 550 authorised stockists and thousands of retailers in India.
“Automotive demand has picked up significantly, and since bearings are an essential component, we are also seeing good growth. Our growth this year is close to 20% in the first quarter, and we are looking forward to stronger momentum,” he said.
Aerospace, EVs And New Engineering Opportunities
Aerospace and space bearings represent an important technology-led expansion for NBC. The company entered the aerospace segment in 2024 and has been developing specialised capabilities for applications requiring high precision, high speeds and demanding temperature performance. Its acquisition of Kinex Bearings in Europe has also added aerospace bearing design and manufacturing expertise to the group.
At the same time, NBC has been preparing for electrification well ahead of the recent acceleration in EV adoption. Electric vehicles require bearings capable of handling higher rotational speeds and lower friction compared with several conventional applications. Saboo said the company can manufacture EV and ICE bearings on the same production lines, with changes to processing conditions, materials and heat treatment depending on the application.
“We started our EV journey much before the volumes picked up. When EV manufacturers came with larger requirements, we were already there with the right products and quality,” he emphasised.
The company is also focusing on reducing friction and improving bearing efficiency. NBC has developed products where friction has been reduced by around 15-18% in certain applications, potentially helping customers improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Saboo said the company is working proactively on such technologies rather than waiting for customers to specifically demand them.
Aftermarket And Beyond Bearings
The automotive aftermarket has emerged as another growth opportunity. NBC recently introduced a range of components including wiper blades, brake pads, belts and steering rods for two-wheelers and passenger cars, initially through an outsourced manufacturing model. The company plans to evaluate individual product categories before considering in-house manufacturing where volumes justify it.
“Aftermarket is very important for us. We have one of the largest retailer networks in India, and we are now using the strength of the NBC brand to introduce automotive components beyond bearings,” Saboo revealed.
Looking towards 2030, NBC expects EV penetration to rise significantly and plans to continue investing in Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, automation and new materials. The company says its Industry 4.0 journey is already at an advanced stage, with AI and automation projects aimed at improving productivity and manufacturing efficiency.
Beyond automotive, NBC is also widening its exposure through partnerships. In January 2026, the company announced a strategic partnership with Ahamani EV Technology India, including a 30% equity investment, to develop and commercialise advanced drone technologies in India.
“Our focus will be continuous investment in technology, new materials, Industry 4.0, AI and automation. By 2030, productivity requirements will be much higher, and we have already started preparing for that,” Saboo said.
With bearings remaining at the core, NBC’s roadmap is increasingly about becoming a broader engineering and mobility solutions provider. Its expansion into aerospace, aftermarket components and drones, combined with investments in digital manufacturing and lower-friction products, reflects an effort to build capabilities for multiple mobility and industrial applications while remaining closely aligned with evolving customer requirements.