AMI Bearings

What AMI Bearings does

AMI Bearings, Inc. is a US-based manufacturer of mounted ball bearings, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Japanese bearing manufacturer Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd. (established 1928). The company specializes in mounted bearing units and inserts, offering over 50,000 unique configurations — the broadest product range in its market segment. Its portfolio is anchored by two core product lines (Mounted Bearing Units and Mounted Bearing Inserts) and extended by specialty lines including corrosion-protection (stainless steel and Kanigen-coated) bearings, high-temperature inserts rated to 400°F and 450°F, free-spinning low-torque bearings, air movement bearings for HVAC/fan applications, the proprietary Shur-Seal protection system, and underwater self-lubricating bearings. Configurability is provided through four locking mechanisms (Set Screw, Eccentric Collar, proprietary Accu-Loc, and Adapter Sleeve) and multiple seal options (single lip, double lip, RF double lip, triple lip, free-spinning).

The company manufactures to ISO/ABMA industry standards and supports its products with online CAD drawings (2D and 3D), an interactive web catalog with part-number and keyword search, downloadable technical literature, and same-day shipment capability for orders received by 2:00pm CST through its domestic warehouse network. Modifications to catalogued items are completed within five working days. AMI sells exclusively through an authorized distributor network spanning North America — including Motion Industries, Applied Industrial Technologies, Kaman Industrial Technologies, and BDI alongside regional specialists — and does not sell direct to end customers. Pricing is transaction-based with no minimum charge and net-30 payment terms. End markets span air movement/HVAC, food and beverage processing, conveyor systems, packaging, paper/pulp/printing, mining, industrial manufacturing, wastewater treatment, power/energy, and pharmaceutical verticals.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the company is private, operates without independent outside investors, and relies on its Japanese parent for capital and upstream manufacturing capability. Its competitive moat is anchored in distribution exclusivity, SKU breadth, and proprietary locking/sealing technologies, though the company explicitly markets product interchangeability with other major bearing manufacturers, which limits customer switching costs and pricing power.

Name

AMI Bearings

Legal name

AMI Bearings, Inc.

Website

https://amibearings.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AMI Bearings, Inc. is a US manufacturer of mounted ball bearings, established 1990 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd. (Japan). It offers over 50,000 unique bearing configurations sold exclusively through authorized industrial distributors across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Prospect

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Mounted Ball Bearing Products: AMI Bearings generates revenue through the sale of mounted ball bearings, bearing units, inserts, and specialty bearing products. They sell exclusively through an authorized distributor network and do not sell direct to customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AMI Bearings manufactures and supplies mounted ball bearings, bearing units, and bearing inserts, offering over 50,000 unique configurations. Products are sold exclusively through a network of authorized local distributors across the North American market, with all catalogued items actively stocked in their warehouse network for same-day shipment.

Product overview

AMI Bearings is a world class manufacturer specializing in mounted ball bearings serving the North American market, offering over 50,000 unique mounted ball bearing configurations. The product portfolio centers on two core product lines: Mounted Bearing Units (complete assemblies with housings) and Mounted Bearing Inserts (for integration into customer housings). These core products are available in multiple locking mechanisms (Set Screw, Eccentric Collar, Accu-Loc, and Adapter Sleeve) and various duty series (Light K005, Normal B5/UC205, Medium UCX05, Heavy UC305). Specialty product lines include Corrosion Protection (stainless steel/Kanigen coated) bearing units and inserts for harsh environments; High Temperature units rated for 400°F (C4HR5) and 450°F (C4HR23); Free Spinning inserts for low-torque applications; Air Movement bearing units for HVAC/fan applications; and the Shur-Seal protection system for severe duty. Additional offerings include Underwater Self-Lubricating Bearings and various seal options (Single Lip, Double Lip, RF Double Lip, Triple Lip, Free Spinning). All products are supported by online CAD drawings, 2D/3D CAD files, and an online interactive catalog.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mounted Bearing Units

Quantifiable outcome

• Same day shipment of all orders received by 4:00pm CST to 2:00pm CST
• +2 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd.coreOthers · 1 January 1990AMI Bearings, Inc. was established in 1990 by parent company Asahi Seiko Co., Ltd., a leading worldwide bearing manufacturer established in May 1928. Based in Osaka, Japan, Asahi Seiko expanded into mechanical clutch, air clutch, air clutch-brake, and linear motion equipment. AMI operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary serving the North American market.
• PTDA (Power Transmission Distributors Association)minorOthersAMI Bearings is a member of PTDA, an industry association for power transmission distributors.
• BSA (Bearing Specialists Association)minorOthersAMI Bearings is a member of BSA, a bearing industry association.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• SKF: Global leader in bearings and rotating equipment with a full mounted bearing product line including SKF Explorer performance class. Comparable to AMI as a direct mounted ball bearing manufacturer serving industrial OEMs, but operates at vastly greater global scale and with broader product breadth.
• NSK: Japanese global bearing manufacturer with strong mounted bearing and insert product lines serving industrial markets worldwide. Highly comparable to AMI as a Japanese-owned bearing manufacturer, but with global operations and significantly larger scale across automotive and industrial segments.
• NTN: Major Japanese bearing manufacturer offering mounted bearing units and inserts across industrial and automotive end markets. Comparable product portfolio to AMI with similar Japanese manufacturing heritage, but operates globally with much broader product line.
• Timken: US-based global bearing and power transmission manufacturer with mounted bearing offerings for industrial applications. Comparable in target customer base (industrial OEMs, distributors) and product overlap in mounted bearing units, though Timken is significantly larger and more diversified.
• Schaeffler (FAG / INA): German global bearing and motion technology manufacturer offering FAG and INA product lines including mounted bearing units. Comparable to AMI in industrial mounted bearing product category but with vastly greater R&D resources, global footprint, and electric mobility/automotive adjacencies.

Direct peers

• Regal Rexnord (Sealmaster / Browning / Dodge): Regal Rexnord's mounted bearing brands (Sealmaster, Browning, Dodge) are the closest direct competitors to AMI Bearings, offering mounted ball bearing units, inserts, and specialty corrosion-resistant product lines with similar lock-and-housing configurations. Most direct head-to-head competitor in the North American market.
• Hub City (Regal Rexnord): Manufacturer of mounted bearings, gear drives, and power transmission products serving industrial OEM markets in North America. Direct competitor to AMI in mounted bearing units with overlapping industrial customer base, particularly in conveyors and material handling.
• RBC Bearings: US-based manufacturer of engineered bearings including mounted ball bearing products serving industrial and aerospace markets. Comparable as a North American mounted bearing manufacturer with similar specialty differentiation strategy, though RBC operates at much larger scale and broader end-market exposure.

Emerging players

• Boca Bearings: US-based specialty bearing distributor and manufacturer offering mounted and unmounted bearings with strong e-commerce/direct-to-customer motion. Comparable to AMI in product category but differentiated by direct-to-customer model versus AMI's distributor-only approach.

Regional players

• FYH (Nakamura Tome Precision Industry): Japanese manufacturer of mounted bearing units and inserts primarily serving Asia and select international markets. Comparable product portfolio to AMI as a Japan-headquartered mounted bearing specialist, but with primarily Asian geographic focus versus AMI's North American concentration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AMI Bearings