NHB – In pursuit of excellence in Steel Balls

Last updated Jul 31, 2023

NHB Ball & Roller Ltd., headquartered in Mumbai, is renowned for its high precision balls. The company is one of the very few in the world capable of producing G3 and G5 steel balls for bearing applications. NHB also has the distinction of designing and providing balls for super sensitive applications like electric motors, alternators, air-conditioners and compressors. In an exclusive interview with Bearing Review, the top brass of NHB narrates the saga of quality and precision enshrined in its balls which are used in over a thousand diverse applications across the world. Excerpts:

Q. NHB is known for its high precision steel balls used for over a thousand applications. What is the perception of the market about the quality and brand promise of NHB?

Kalpesh: NHB established trust and creditability by consistently delivering on promises and maintaining high standards. This includes providing exceptional customer service and being transparent in business practices, building strong relationships with customers and stakeholders. This has helped create a positive perception of NHB quality and brand promise.

Mitul: With advanced technological capabilities, our process consistently delivers reliable products that meet or exceed industry requirements and NHB practices a culture of continuous improvement and continual learning.

Prashant: Overall, we are recognized as a reliable and innovative organization that delivers on their commitment to exceptional results focusing on SQDC framework which aids in taking well-rounded decisions that address all critical aspects of the operations.

Q. What’s NHB’s product portfolio today?

Kalpesh: With continuous investment in technology and methods NHB has transformed itself from a bicycle balls manufacturer to thousands of high precision applications that affect everyone’s daily life. The products manufactured at NHB can be found in the most demanding applications like Automotive, Industrial, Electrical, Medical, Cosmetics, etc.

Mitul: Today, NHB caters to 4 kinds of Markets.

a. Automotive Solutions – NHB Balls provide strength, durability, and precision for applications such as bearings, steering systems, transmissions, and engines.

Applications: Hub wheel bearings, seat belts, CV Joints, Water Pump bearings, Transmission and Airbags

b. Industrial Solutions – NHB Balls provides essential functionality in applications such as heavy machinery, and precision equipment, enabling smooth operation and efficient performance.

Applications : Ball screw, Construction, and Heavy Machinery.”

c. Silent Bearing Solutions – NHB Balls ensure smooth and quiet operation by reducing friction, enhancing load distribution, and maintaining precise alignment for optimal performance.

Applications: Electrical Motors and Alternators

d. Prashant: Medical & Cosmetic Solutions – NHB Balls are integral in medical and cosmetic solutions, facilitating precise dosage delivery, blending and mixing of ingredients & ensuring accurate measurement for applications such as syringes, pumps & cosmetic packaging.

Applications : Nasal Spray, Eye Drops and Cosmetics.

Q. What’s the secret behind the immaculate quality and precision of NHB balls?

Mitul: NHB’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility includes the Channel concept and Lean philosophy which gives an edge to NHB over its competitors. Our fundamental strength is the adoption of new technologies and methods. Through continuous improvement and technology upgradation we provide our customers with best-in-class products.

Kalpesh: Our vision “A Global Leader & trusted brand in precision products delivering exceptional value to stakeholders” means that any decision we take is driven by the impact on the long-term value we provide to our customers. Demanding applications have always been the focal point of NHB.

Prashant: Ingredients for reliable quality includes our Streamlined Manufacturing Processes, focus on continuous Research and Development, Skilled Manpower, meticulous Quality Control measures.

Q. NHB is said to have created a unique manufacturing technology based on ‘Channels’ and ‘Lean Principles’. What’s the transformation this has brought within the organization?

Mitul: We worked hard in the last years to transform the company culture and to create a new identity coherent with the long-term strategy that we had in mind. It was a radical change that touched all the aspects of the business: the people, the processes, the methods and the organization.

We came from an history of several customer complaints, poor customer service and productivity. We used the tools of lean thinking to review all business processes, trained all the employees to the new methods, created value streams to improve flow, to reduce inventories and the reaction times to market, so dramatically increasing both service levels and quality. We also worked technically on the manufacturing process to fine tune it … but that was the easiest part.

Q. What do you mean? Which was the hardest part?

Mitul: To touch technology is easy: it has to do with know-how and, in case, with availability of capitals for investments. What is much more complicated is to change the people mindset, to explain – and to show by facts – that a different way of doing is not only possible, but more effective both in terms of company results and all

employees satisfaction.

Q. The points you touched are all about production methods. Is there any opportunity available also in terms of introduction of new technologies?

Kalpesh: Of course, yes. Despite the steel balls manufacturing is considered a very mature process, indeed there are many technologies and fine tunings that can bring to reach remarkable differences. For instance, new methods of balls lapping (to squeeze the diameter spread) and of more controlled residual stress induction are theoretically known since some few decades, but not yet industrialized because of lack of courage in investing in something new. The introduction of new heat treatment methods “on a human scale” is desirable for a better control both of the ball’s microstructure and of performance in the final applications. That’s why to invest continuously in R&D projects is a must in the high precision steel balls industry.

Digitalization of the whole supply chain – according to the lean principles – has also a large potential impact to eliminate wastes, to reduce reaction times and to enhance the manpower productivity performances.

Q. NHB is offering G5 grade steel balls for bearing applications. What does this signify and how will it improve the end performance of the bearings in arduous applications?

Kalpesh: The performace of any ball application is depends on the quality of the balls and thus it is considered as a heart of the application which helps to maintain the fit form or function of the any appication.

Using G5 steel balls can improve the load capacity of a bearing. NHB G5 steel balls are made from high-quality steel that is heat-treated to increase its strength and toughness. This means that bearings with G5 steel balls can handle heavier loads than bearings made with lower-grade steel balls.

Furthermore G5 steel balls have excellent surface finish and low surface roughness, which can further reduce friction and increase the lifespan of the bearing. This can result in longer service intervals, reduced maintenance costs, and increased reliability of the overall system.

In summary, using NHB high-quality steel balls in grade G5 can provide a competitive advantage to ball bearings manufacturers by improving the precision, load capacity, and longevity of their products. This can result in increased customer satisfaction, repeat business, and a strong reputation for quality and reliability.

Q. How critical is service in this business? And what’s the service support you give to overseas customers?

Prashant: Service is highly critical in any business, as it plays a significant role in customer satisfaction and long-term relationships. Providing excellent service ensures that customers’ needs are met, building trust and enhancing the overall customer experience. In the Ball manufacturing industry, where precision and quality are of paramount importance, customer support and service becomes even more crucial. The normal tendency is to consider ball as a single product but when it comes to the bearing assembly – depending on the design of the bearing channel of each customer, for each ball size the SKU varies from 11 to 5 and NHB manufactures and serves more than 1700 such SKU’s.

NHB has designed and implemented one of the unique systems of Electronic KANBAN and this is directly connected with the SAP system, NHB PRODUCTION SYSTEM operates on PULL signal managed through ELECTRONIC KANBAN. With this the lead time to deliver the specific SKU has reduced to 2.5 days.

Mitul: As a leading ball manufacturer, NHB provides efficient support to its overseas customers by serving them on a direct order or serving them from the warehouse close to the customer locations. NHB has set up Sales offices in Europe, Brazil, Canada and China with a dedicated Sales team which works in close co-ordination with the customers & aligning the demand and supply chain.

Overall, by prioritizing efficient communication, technical support, timely delivery, and after-sales service, NHB has established itself as a trusted partner for all the customers covering the domestic as well as overseas customers, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty in this highly competitive ball manufacturing industry.

Q. What are your growth strategies to increase your penetration into the markets at home and overseas?

Kalpesh: Our growth strategies encompass a multi-faceted approach to expand our market presence. By combining organic growth, strategic alliances, and M&A, we seek to achieve substantial penetration into both domestic and international markets.