Brüel & Kjær Vibro (B&K Vibro), one of the leading worldwide independent suppliers of condition monitoring solutions for rotating machinery, has been acquired by NSK, a global organisation specialising in researching, designing and manufacturing motion and control solutions.

NSK’s portfolio of products and technologies enhance automotive performance and industrial productivity, whilst reducing energy consumption. As the leading supplier of bearings in Japan and the third largest supplier in the world by market share, NSK employs approximately 30,000 people in more than 200 locations across 30 countries, alongside a vast network of joint ventures and partnerships.

NSK has been developing condition monitoring systems (CMS) for internal and field use for decades. Having identified the market need and opportunity to put CMS technology directly in the hands of customers, NSK established a Condition Monitoring System Development Centre in April 2019 to create solutions to help customers manage the health of their machinery. To accelerate this initiative, NSK has acquired B&K Vibro, who will be empowered to lead NSK’s global CMS business development as a new autonomous unit within the NSK organisation, as NSK grows to become a global leader in condition monitoring.

Toshihiro Uchiyama, president and CEO, NSK, said, “I am excited to welcome all of B&K Vibro’s valuable team members to the NSK group. Condition monitoring systems and services are a growing market, and B&K Vibro is the current and future leader in this industry. By combining B&K Vibro’s expertise with NSK’s strength as a global leader in the bearing industry with more than 100 years of accumulated knowledge and experience across a range of applications, our two companies will create even more value for society.”

Marcel Van Helten, CEO, B&K Vibro, said, “B&K Vibro is truly honoured to become a part of NSK, a company that has set out to become a leader in condition monitoring. The synergies between our companies are evident, and with the combination of the talent and the knowledge residing within our companies, we will together be able to deliver exciting, innovative business and engineering solutions for our customers. We look forward to enhancing the NSK CMS business platform and accelerating growth in the burgeoning CMS market.”