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The eBearing News
June 16, 2006
SNR Workers Protest NTN Takeover
copyright © 2006 eBearing Inc.
Over 1,000 workers from SNR Roulement's Annecy headquarters and operations walked out yesterday
afternoon, protesting NTN's planned takeover of the Renault division and lack of
communication with employees by both companies.
Parading the streets of Annecy, production workers, engineers, administrators and managers
made it clear they are concerned about the company's likely fate under NTN Corp. (Japan)
if the acquisition goes through.
Automaker Renault, facing difficult times, is restructuring and reorienting many of its
far-flung business operations. SNR is one of the businesses being restructured; NTN walked away
from a mid-2005 bid to acquire SNR, while in October 2005, SNR divested its ball
production to NN Inc. (USA).
article: SNR turns over ball production to NN
Now that NTN has reestablished its intent and effort to acquire SNR, workers are increasingly
worried that the deal may be nearing a conclusion without their knowledge.
In January, eBearing presented a highly detailed background of the two businesses, SNR's
position and the acquisition efforts to date:
article: NTN moves to acquire SNR
Annecy is SNR's headquarters, and home to the majority of workers. The company also has
two main warehouse and logistics centers; the first and largest is in Cran Gevrier, on the
outskirts of Annecy, the other is in Saint Vulbas, outside Lyon.
SNR workers have told eBearing their strong trade unions are against any sale to NTN, preferring
to stay under a French company with its mandated social safety net. Renault being one of the
country's crown jewels of manufacturing, many said they believe their future would be better
staying under Renault with the attendant perks and protections.
SNR (Societe Nouvelle de Roulements, or the New Bearing Company) is a global bearing manufacturer
and supplier to the automotive, industrial and aerospace industries. The company has five plants in
France: Annecy, the headquarters; Argonay (high precision bearings); Meythet (roller bearings); Seynod
(rolling elements, ball bearings, clutch release bearings, thrust bearings); Ales (ball bearings,
automotive wheel hub bearings. And five plants in other countries: Bielefeld, Germany (linear guides);
Curitiba, Brazil (ball bearings, tapered roller bearings); Turin, Italy (spherical roller bearings);
Sibiu, Romania (standard ball and roller bearings); Atlanta, Georgia, USA (aerospace bearing maintenance).
Neither Renault nor NTN have commented about the potential acquisition.
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- by Bruce A. Carr
from individual research,
tips and commercial sources.
Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
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eBearing.com ... for everything that moves™
Entire contents Copyright 1999-2008, eBearing Inc. All rights reserved.
eBearing.com and "... for everything that moves" are registered
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eBearing.com ... for everything that moves™
Entire contents Copyright © 1999-2008, eBearing Inc. All rights reserved.
eBearing.com and "... for everything that moves" are registered trademarks of eBearing Inc.
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