SNR Roulements (France, the bearing manufacturing division of Renault SAS; PSE: RNO) announced it is setting up an aircraft and aerospace bearing production, repair and reconditioning center in China's Zhuhai Free Trade Zone.

This is SNR's third such center worldwide -- joining France and the United States -- and will initially focus on bearings for the General Electric CFM56 jet engine, the best-selling and most widely used jet engine.

SNR is often considered an aerospace bearing specialist for its key role in the French aerospace industry beside SNFA. But the majority of SNR production is actually destined for automotive OEMs in the form of wheel bearing hub assembly units and similar products.

The move into China is seen as an early, positive impact driven partially by NTN's decision to invest in and eventually take over SNR.

NTN was by now to have taken a 35% ownership stake in SNR, following its gradual takeover strategy revealed this past July 2006. However, that investment is reportedly still under review and awaiting approval.

article: NTN completes SNR investment strategy
A spokesman for SNR Zhuhai said the market and demand in China for aerospace bearing services is growing so quickly that the company had to respond to customer demand. Until now, Asian customers have shipped bearings to SNR's aerospace bearing service facility in France, adding at least two weeks to the critical repair turnaround. In China's increasingly competitive market, if that delay continued, SNR would quickly lose business and customers.

As if the aerospace bearing market growth in China needed illustrating, Timken recently announced its own aerospace bearing manufacturing effort there.

article: Timken building aerospace bearing plant in China
China is currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of its aerospace industry. Continuing the robust growth, while developing expertise and key technologies in the aerospace sector, are so important they were the subject of a special speech and commemoration by President Hu Jintao. President Jintao's remarks were delivered remotely to the recent Sixth Annual China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition.