The newly constructed Needle Roller Building of Suzhou Bearing Co put into operation to enhance the in-house production capacity of needle rollers bearing

In the high-end needle roller bearing sector, long dominated by European, American, and Japanese companies, a "hidden champion" from Suzhou is quietly reshaping the competitive landscape. SZZH, a national-level specialized and innovative "little giant" enterprise with over 60 years of history, has successfully entered the supply chains of global top-tier automotive parts giants such as BorgWarner, Bosch, ZF, and Magna, providing high-precision supporting products for their new energy electric drive systems, intelligent chassis, and high-end transmissions.

SZZH's development path is clear and focused–starting from the development of China's first needle roller in 1962, it has gradually built a complete technical system centered on needle roller bearings, encompassing cylindrical roller bearings and special customized products. Company Chairman Zhang Wenhua emphasized: "Core technology cannot be obtained through introduction; only long-term accumulation and independent innovation can break through the blockade."

In its laboratories and workshops, this philosophy is being translated into tangible results. Its provincial-level engineering technology research center recently completed a high-speed cylindrical roller bearing project, which has passed provincial-level scientific and technological achievement appraisal, reaching internationally advanced levels and achieving mass production. In the new mold workshop, experienced technicians operate high-end equipment to process micron-level aerospace bearing rings, even handling special materials such as ceramics; the intelligent grinding production line achieves full-process digital control through the MES system, ensuring product consistency and ultra-high precision.

Technological advantages are rapidly translating into market competitiveness. In the first three quarters of 2025, SZZH achieved a net profit attributable to shareholders of 118 million yuan, with steady year-on-year growth, and the proportion of high-end product revenue continued to increase. The company not only maintains a strong position among domestic automotive core system suppliers but also cultivates the European market through its German subsidiary, developing differentiated strategies for different regions: focusing on high value-added and environmentally friendly performance in Europe, and optimizing cost structures to launch customized solutions in Southeast Asia.

To support rapid growth, SZZH's newly built "Needle Roller Building" has been completed and put into operation, which will significantly increase the production capacity of self-supplied needle rollers and cylindrical rollers. At the same time, the company has established a three-tiered supplier management system, collaborating closely with high-quality steel mills to ensure the purity of bearing steel from the source, and controlling costs and mitigating supply chain risks through a "one product, two suppliers" mechanism. Looking to the future, SZZH is focusing on three major strategic directions: firstly, seizing the opportunities presented by the localization of large aircraft manufacturing and advancing the airworthiness certification of aviation bearings; secondly, deepening cooperation with high-end customers in the new energy vehicle sector to expand market share; and thirdly, proactively developing specialized bearings for RV harmonic reducers used in robot joints to gain a technological advantage. In addition, the company is evaluating the establishment of a second production base in Southeast Asia and Europe to accelerate its global expansion.

Facing challenges such as international trade friction and raw material price fluctuations, SZZH has established a comprehensive response mechanism: strengthening synchronous R&D capabilities to build technological barriers, optimizing the export regional structure to reduce geopolitical risks, enhancing product added value to move away from low-price competition, and hedging cost pressures through fixed-price procurement and diversified supply.

As a key participant in the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan, SZZH is transitioning from "Chinese excellence" to a "world-class brand." Its development model, using specialization, refinement, and innovation as its spear and supply chain collaboration as its shield, not only demonstrates the resilience and foresight of a national enterprise but also provides a replicable model for overcoming the "bottleneck" challenges in China's high-end basic components industry.