China export breakthrough beckons for Gamet
International super-precision tapered roller bearings specialist Gamet Bearings has achieved an important foothold in China with confirmed orders for trial bearing sets from two leading machine tools manufacturers.
Colchester-based Gamet - part of 600 Group, the UK’s largest machine tool and accessory company - is confident that success in these trials should pave the way for increased sales in production volumes.
Stephen Smith, Gamet’s Technical Sales Manager, says: “Chinese machine tool manufacturers have for many years produced low-cost machines in huge volumes to service the domestic market.
“However the Chinese government now recognises the fact that these manufacturers need to increase the accuracy of their domestic machines for use in their growing aerospace, defence and automotive industries, therefore, higher quality components including bearings will be needed and these are currently not available from Chinese manufacturers.”
Gamet’s success in China is the result of hard work over an extended sales initiative lasting several years in which the company has learned the importance of patience and also of direct contact with potential customers in China, he says.
“In October 2008 Gamet conducted a technical seminar in China which was attended by approximately 40 personnel representing some 15 companies from a wide geographical spread. This was received very well and laid the foundations to progress further.
“Although various communications were received as a result of the seminar, no concrete business had resulted. It was then decided that a follow-up visit would be required to focus on a smaller number of selected companies which represented the best potential prospects for Gamet Bearings.”
“During November, 2009, visits were organised to these key companies at their own factories for further detailed discussions about how Gamet’s super-precision accuracy could benefit their machines.”
“A good representative in China is vital to assist with the language and customs, and also to help select specific companies to focus on and develop. This was confirmed during visits to companies in Beijing, Tianshui, Baoji, Chengdu, Shanghai, Nanjing & Dalian. Such visits are an important part of the process in gaining the confidence of the companies and people. ” says Stephen Smith.
The vast machine tools manufacturing industry in China represents substantial future export potential for Gamet Bearings, which already has customers in over 40 countries and exports more than 70% of its output. The company has been manufacturing in the UK since the 1950s, and supplies direct to its many OEM customers, including 600 Group for its Colchester-Harrison lathes ranges.
Gamet’s tapered roller bearings provide ultra-high precision rotational accuracy (they are manufactured with cone bore run-out tolerances ranging from just 0.5 microns to 1.5 microns) and are supplied to leading manufacturers of grinding machines, lathes and turning machines, milling machines, boring machines, printing machines, coating machines, roll grinding and edge trimming machines in the steel industry, rotary tables and other specialist applications.
For further information, contact:
Stephen Smith (Technical Sales Manager - Gamet Bearings)
Tel: +44 (0) 1206 862121
Peter Loweth (Peter Loweth Public Relations)
Tel: +44 (0) 1756 711129
