Make tanks or trains? It is a dilemma for Russian industry, as it converts on the run from civilian to military production. Russia is struggling to do both, but it is doing a poor job of it. Why?
"The Xiangtan manufacturing base is one of the eight manufacturing bases of Timken in China, which is of great significance to the development of Timken in China"
in 2019 "SKF has inaugurated a new tapered roller bearing factory in Changshan, China. The company invested 20 million euros in the new factory"
Russia can get as many TBUs from China as it needs. Your whole piece is such a pile of ....
• [June 25 2023]: On the other hand, SKF is expanding production at its joint facility in Changshan, China, its largest facility in the world. Opened in 2019, it has the capacity to produce 40 million sets of bearing per year. (https://www.zmsbearing.com/blog/)
• Chinese bearing production reached 23.3 billion sets in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 17.68%. The export volume of bearings was 7.804 billion sets, an increase of 32.7% compared to the same period in 2020. (https://www.zmsbearing.com/chinas-bearing-trend-in-future-3-years/)
So--you're right: there is no shortage of bearing production and export capacity in China. But I've seen no information on how many of those are advanced cassette-type bearings (used in railcars) or the kind used in tank turrets. Have you? Much obliged for any updates. Best, Thane
Thanks for your kind comment. I don't doubt that China--having invested heavily in the world's most modern rail system over the past twenty years--has mastered the technologies of all the leading bearing and railcar companies in the West. The question is whether China is exporting them to Russia's plants and to RZhD, and if so, on what scale. Have you seen any export statistics from the Chinese side? The Russian press is a little vague on that point, but it would be an important one to nail down. Best wishes, TG
Mr Gustafson has been silent for 5 months now...
https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/88585/
https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/94816/
looking at the dates, they'll probably import as the latter article refutes optimism of the 1st
Many thanks, Ivok. The Belarus connection sounds important, indeed. Best, Thane
Thanks very much! I'm on the lookout for the latest developments, and this is very helpful. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Thane
"The Xiangtan manufacturing base is one of the eight manufacturing bases of Timken in China, which is of great significance to the development of Timken in China"
in 2019 "SKF has inaugurated a new tapered roller bearing factory in Changshan, China. The company invested 20 million euros in the new factory"
Russia can get as many TBUs from China as it needs. Your whole piece is such a pile of ....
I'm continuing to track the bearing story. You're right--the key question is exports from China. Here are a couple of items:
• [October 26 2023]: Timken sells off its stake in Jiangsu TWB Bearings Co., Ltd. (TWB) Xiangtan (https://news.timken.com/2023-10-26-Timken-Announces-Divestiture-of-TWB-Bearings-Business-in-China
• [June 25 2023]: On the other hand, SKF is expanding production at its joint facility in Changshan, China, its largest facility in the world. Opened in 2019, it has the capacity to produce 40 million sets of bearing per year. (https://www.zmsbearing.com/blog/)
• Chinese bearing production reached 23.3 billion sets in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 17.68%. The export volume of bearings was 7.804 billion sets, an increase of 32.7% compared to the same period in 2020. (https://www.zmsbearing.com/chinas-bearing-trend-in-future-3-years/)
So--you're right: there is no shortage of bearing production and export capacity in China. But I've seen no information on how many of those are advanced cassette-type bearings (used in railcars) or the kind used in tank turrets. Have you? Much obliged for any updates. Best, Thane
Thanks for your kind comment. I don't doubt that China--having invested heavily in the world's most modern rail system over the past twenty years--has mastered the technologies of all the leading bearing and railcar companies in the West. The question is whether China is exporting them to Russia's plants and to RZhD, and if so, on what scale. Have you seen any export statistics from the Chinese side? The Russian press is a little vague on that point, but it would be an important one to nail down. Best wishes, TG