A ground-breaking ceremony was held on 17 July at the site of a new $100m NTN-Bower plant. The expansion will consist of a second plant with an area one-third that of the current facility to meet the increased demand for industrial machinery in North America.
The 237,000ft2 plant will increase production of tapered roller bearings with an outer diameter of 4-8in, which NTN already produces in the existing Macomb facility as well as a plant in Hamilton, Alabama. Completion of the second plant is slated for May 2013, with full production beginning in September. The expansion is expected to create more than 80 new jobs, bringing NTN's total Macomb employment to nearly 1,000 people.
Approximately 90 people attended the event, including the Mayor Michael Inman and State Senator John Sullivan. NTN executives were also on hand for the ceremonial ground-breaking.
General Director Tomiyama called for continued support in the lead up to the start of production, adding that "the newly constructed plant will play a vital role for the growth of NTN. The increased production capacity that will be available at the new plant will also make a positive contribution to the development of Macomb and the state of Illinois."
Mayor Inman greeted guests, adding, "I applaud NTN's decisions that are linked to local growth. I want to provide our full support in the form of staff employment and infrastructure for traffic."
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