World Bearing Association (WBA)

 The World Bearing Association (WBA), a new organization comprised of three major regional bearing associations, will increase the focus on critical issues in the $30 billion world bearing industry. The WBA represents some 150,000 bearing industry employees through its member companies.

The WBA was created on September 15 , 2006 by the Japan Bearing Industrial Association (JBIA), the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) and the Federation of European Bearing Manufacturers’ Association (FEBMA). Mr. Yasunobu Suzuki, president of the Japanese Bearing Industry Association, was named WBA’s first president and presided over the inaugural meeting in Kyoto, Japan.

Freedonia

ABMA has established a partnership with The Freedonia Group. The agreement includes two reports, a full biannual bearing study and smaller, annual focus report.

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. Thei industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product and market forecasts, industry trends, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.

The bearing industry reports will be available for purchase through The Freedonia Groups's website.  More information will be released with the publication of the first report, which is expected to occur in Fall 2007.