Ball, roller and plain bearing demand in the United States is projected to
      expand 3.0% per year through 2013 to $10.6 billion, according to a new
      study, Bearings, from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry
      research firm.

      Sales increases for ball and roller bearings, including both mounted and
      unmounted types and associated parts, will outpace those of plain
      bearings, reaching $8.5 billion in 2013 (all figures are in US currency).
      Advances will be supported by sales of high-value, large diameter bearings
      as the wind energy and heavy equipment markets expand.

      Continued, albeit moderating, growth in the production of aerospace
      equipment and machinery will also support gains.

      Recovery in motor vehicle production from the low levels of 2008,
      particularly in heavy truck and bus manufacturing, will also benefit
      bearing suppliers. Market gains will be dampened, however, as US companies
      in a variety of bearing-using industries continue to move manufacturing
      operations to offshore areas where labour costs are lower.

      The strongest market gains through 2013 will be posted by roller bearings,
      benefitting from renewed strength in US production of motor vehicles and
      from sales of advanced, high-value products for applications such as wind
      turbines and heavy machinery.

      Demand for mounted bearings and bearing parts will also outperform bearing
      demand overall. Mounted bearing demand increases will be spurred by
      original equipment manufacturers’ (OEM) desires to simplify their
      production processes and reduce future maintenance requirements.

      OEM bearing applications, which currently account for 78% of all demand,
      will approximate the performance of maintenance/repair/operations (MRO)
      applications through 2013. Sales conditions will be particularly strong in
      the automotive and engine, turbine and power transmission equipment
      manufacturing markets. MRO bearing demand will be bolstered by growing
      maintenance expenditures for aerospace equipment and construction
      machinery.