NTN Corporation (Japan; TSE: 6472) has built a second automotive bearing manufacturing plant in Wakayama, Japan.

The operation in Wakayama, NTN Kinan Corp., manufactures axle bearings for Japanese automakers.

NTN said the expansion is needed because, "The demand for automobile parts has rapidly been increasing due to solid business conditions in the automotive industry centering on the BRIC countries."

BRICs = fast-growing markets in Brazil, Russia, India, China

The company went on to say, "The axle bearing for automobiles, which is a strategic product for NTN, is currently in short supply in the brisk market."

Covering 8,000 square meters, the Kinan expansion will primarily add forging and grinding capacity. The existing plant started operations in 1975 and employs approximately 140 workers.

When it is fully online in mid-2009, the expansion will require approximately 25 more workers.