Taiho Corp. of America Inc. (USA, a division of Taiho Kogyo Co., Japan) revealed it has won a contract to supply engine bearings to General Motors for an upcoming engine destined for its Cadillac division.

Taiho Kogyo, founded in 1944, is a separately traded division of Toyota Motor Corporation. It is one of the world's largest manufacturers of plain bearings: engine bearings, formed bushings and thrust washers for auto and truck manufacturers.

In October 2002, Taiho Japan acquired Yantai Chunsang Sliding Bearing Co., Ltd. (China) for ¥ 900 million (USD $7.2 million). An engine bearing manufacturer located in Shandong Province, China, Yantai Chunsang had sales last year of ¥ 800 million ($6.4 million).

Taiho started U.S. sales in 1981 and in 1996 built its factory in Tiffin, Ohio. Taiho Corp. of America primarily supplies parts and components to Toyota USA, for various drivetrain applications. Taiho of America has annual sales of approximately $30 million.

Although virtually every auto and truck manufacturer around the world has been a Taiho customer, the company said this engine bearing contract is its first from General Motors. The details of the contract were not revealed.