AST Bearings Inc. (USA; privately held; 5251R9N7) announced it has launched a new initiative in 2010 to acquire bearing wholesalers and distributors -- planning to grow by acquisition, in addition to sustaining continued organic growth.

Expansion in 2010 will come from both strictly organic growth -- increased sales to existing customers, and sales to new customers; and by acquisition -- new sales from new product lines planned for introduction later in 2010, and acquisition of complementary companies in the bearing industry.

Founded in 1963, AST is certified ISO 9001:2008 as a value-added supplier of miniature bearings and precision ball bearing products. In its two warehouse locations, the company also carries bushings, rod ends, roller and linear bearings, and custom cost-efficient subassembly products. On the service side, AST offers inventory management services, engineering and design services, and failure analyses. Its Montville headquarters location also offers relubrication services in Class 100 workstations.

So far in 2010, AST tracking 20%+ sales growth, which AST CEO Dale Kaminski noted is strongly tied to his company's attention to value-added services: "AST is unmatched with its combination of products and services. We are uniquely positioned to provide OEMs and distributors a full range of engineered solutions, in addition to stocking thousands of bearings and bearing-related products to cost-effectively and consistently provide just-in-time delivery."

Mr. Kaminski said AST's target acquisition candidates are both at the bearing distribution and wholesale supplier levels. Fundamentally, AST is looking for privately held, profitable, North American bearing companies, with sales in the range of $2 million to $30 million.