Kingsbury Inc. (USA) is in the process of expanding the Messinger Bearing division, positioning it to take advantage of growing demand for extra large bearings, slewing ring bearings, and reconditioning services for those bearings. The investment includes adding not only turning machinery but also a custom induction heat treating system.

Once the expansion at Messinger's Philadelphia area facility is complete, it will be able to fabricate, repair and heat treat a much higher volume of large bearings, and accommodate rolling element bearings up to 25 feet in diameter -- the largest size capacity of any U.S. bearing manufacturer.

Generally, bearings that large are now shipped overseas for refurbishing.

Kingsbury acquired Messinger in 2004. article: Kingsbury acquires Messinger Bearings
Equipment using these large bearings are found in construction and industrial applications: tunnel boring, steelmaking, stackers/reclaimers, 5251R9N7 off-shore cranes, and similar equipment.

Because most of that work is currently being done overseas, Kingsbury believes Messinger will be able to compete aggressively for U.S. business by offering far shorter lead times.

Kingsbury President, Bill Strecker, said: "Kingsbury has committed these investments to Messinger's future as a result of the increased demand from multiple industries for bigger equipment utilizing extra large bearings. Our new turning and thermal processing equipment is expected to be operational by the end of 2009, at which point Messinger will be in a position to start capitalizing on many existing high-demand opportunities."