September 23, 2011 (Peterborough, NH): Executives from Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, visited the HiTech Division of New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. (NHBB) recently to recognize the aerospace bearing manufacturer for outstanding service on two engine programs.
During a brief ceremony in front of approximately one hundred employees, Andrew Draine, Program Director for Rolls-Royce’s M250® and RR300 engines, thanked NHBB and its employees and presented a plaque to NHBB’s President, Gary Yomantas.
“On behalf of Rolls-Royce, I want to thank New Hampshire Ball Bearings for its exceptional performance in support of the M250® and RR300 helicopter engine programs,” said Mr. Draine. “During the past three years, NHBB has demonstrated outstanding, professional, dedicated, and high quality work. As a result, Rolls-Royce has not missed an engine or spare part delivery, a phenomenal accomplishment for these high-volume programs.”
Mr. Yomantas responded by saying, “we are honored for this recognition by one of NHBB’s most valued business partners, Rolls-Royce. As proud as I am to be a part of this ceremony, it is our employees who deserve the credit for providing such exceptional service. On behalf of everyone here, I thank Rolls-Royce for this formal acknowledgment of our distinguished service and for the opportunity to participate in the M250® and RR300 programs.”
Rolls-Royce’s M250® engine is the leading powerplant in its class worldwide. This fleet of engines has accrued in excess of 200 million fleet flight hours on over 30,000 engines delivered. The RR300 combines state-of-the-art design methodology with the proven legacy of the M250® engine line to produce a new engine family for the small rotary and fixed-wing market. Rolls-Royce is on track to deliver one hundred RR300 engines by the end of 2011 and expects it to be the highest production-rate helicopter engine in the world in two years.
The products NHBB manufactures for Rolls-Royce’s M250® and RR300 include complex ball and cylindrical roller bearings for various engine components, including mainshafts and gearboxes. According to Mr. Draine, the bearing products NHBB supplies in support of the two engine programs include over 43 different part numbers. “It is quite an accomplishment to sustain excellent service levels while supplying such a wide range of products,” said Mr. Draine. “NHBB has set a very high standard of performance, for which we are very grateful.”
The close partnership between Rolls-Royce and NHBB began in 1992, when Rolls-Royce became the launch customer for NHBB’s cylindrical roller bearing product line. Sales of NHBB’s roller bearings have risen steadily since then to become a significant piece of NHBB’s aircraft engine bearings business.
Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy. Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,500 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries, with an installed base of 54,000 gas turbines.
New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. (NHBB) is owned by Minebea Co., Ltd. and manufactures precision bearings and assemblies for customers in the aerospace, defense, dental and medical industries. The HiTech Division in Peterborough, NH produces complex ball and cylindrical roller bearing systems for various jet engine applications. The division is certified to numerous industry and customer-specific quality standards, including ISO 9001, AS9100 Rev. B and Boeing D6-82479, and holds the ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management systems.
