Maanshan Fangyuan Slewing Ring Co. Ltd. (China; Shenzhen: 002147; website) has reportedly begun construction of a new bearing manufacturing plant.

The company's existing facility covered approximately 40,000 square meters, while the new will cover approximately 22,000 square meters.

Total output, when fully online, is reportedly 30,000 additional slewing ring bearings per year, with 2,000 of those considered "large" bearings with ODs up to 3550mm (140 inches).

Maanshan Fangyuan manufactures bearings under the FY brand. Its range includes three-row roller slewing rings, cross-rolling slewing rings, two-row roller slewing rings, and single-row ball slewing rings. Applications include excavators; tower, mobile, track and dockside cranes; construction equipment; and light and heavy machining equipment.

Annual sales are in the neighborhood of 255 million yuan (USD $36 million); approximately 20% of the company's output is exported.

With the new expansion, Maanshan Fangyuan is reportedly targeting China's exploding demand for slewing rings in its wind energy sector, along with some off-highway construction equipment and automotive.