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Good annual results despite the recession: NKE Austria records increased sales and takes on 20 new employees

. Nicole Roll

Despite the recession, Steyr-based bearing manufacturer NKE Austria GmbH achieved positive annual results in 2009. With sales of 43.8 million euros, NKE’s turnover was up one percent over the record year 2008. Wind energy represented an important growth sector, and the biggest growth market was China.

In 2009 NKE took on 20 new employees – including six apprentices – raising the total number of employees to 200. With the completion in 2009 of its new Steyr premises, NKE has doubled its production capacity. In July 2009 NKE opened its first Chinese representative office Shanghai. In November 2009 the company was recertified to ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management and ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management and was, for the first time certified for Occupational Health and Safety Management according to OHSAS 18001. In addition, NKE received the Pegasus award – one of the most prestigious business awards in Austria.

For 2010 NKE is planning new investments of 2.5 million euros in research and development, production and quality management. Heimo Ebner, commercial managing director of NKE, explains: “Our aim this year is to develop innovative, flexible solutions for our customers and to further improve quality and reliability. Especially the customer service will be optimised to become even more professional and customer-focussed.” In addition, NKE is aiming to expand the sales markets in Asia, the Middle East, Russia and Central and Eastern Europe in the course of this year.

NKE produces standard and special bearings for all industrial applications. NKE’s core functions – engineering, product development, final processing of components, assembly, quality assurance, logistics, and sales and marketing – are centralised at its Steyr headquarters. In addition to product development and application engineering NKE provides a full range of technical services and training. NKE’s products are distributed through 15 international representative offices and more than 240 distribution outlets in 60 countries.