Korea's ILJIN opens wheel bearing plant in Tianjin

ILJIN, a Korea-based global manufacturer of automotive and industrial bearings and suspension components, has announced the grand opening of its second plant in China. The new wheel bearing plant in Tianjin, China, supplies wheel bearings to Shanghai GM in Shanghai, Chery Automotive in Wuhu and BBDC in Beijing.

The 257,000 sq. ft. plant, built at a cost of $36 million USD, includes forging and machining operations for production of the company's Gen. 2 and Gen. 3 double-row, angular-contact ball bearings. The plant currently employs approximately 173 hourly and management personnel.

Recent grand opening ceremonies in Tianjin featured Chinese government officials, customers and members of the ILJIN executive management team, including Chairman Sang Il Lee.

"The successful opening of the Tianjin plant is strong testimony to the benefits ILJIN brings to its customers," said Mr. Lee. "Our proprietary manufacturing technologies enable us to produce wheel bearings that are well known and recognized worldwide for superior quality and competitiveness. We are honored to be chosen to supply GM Shanghai and Chery."

ILJIN's Gen. 1, Gen. 2 and Gen. 3 wheel bearings feature two-piece inner rings with factory-set clearances. They are greased, sealed and maintenance free, and can be mounted front or rear for both driven and non-driven applications.

In addition to wheel bearings, ILJIN produces a range of forged and stamped parts, including suspension components such as ball joints, tie rods, stabilizer links, knuckles and control arms.

ILJIN serves 28 OEM, Tier 1 and industrial customers worldwide from technical centers and manufacturing locations in Korea, China, India, Australia, Slovakia and the United States. The company is based in Seoul, Korea.