In the mid 80's, the Nakanishi Company, a company out of Osaka, Japan that makes automotive related products, secured new business with American bearing manufacturers. There was one stipulation though, they would have to build a plant in the US. The Nakanishi Company knew they wanted to build in the South but they weren’t sure where. After many visits throughout the South they fell in love with Athens, GA. The biggest appeal was the diverse culture seen in Athens. Due to that diversity, they believed it would help their ex-patriots feel more comfortable when they visited for training and engineering while the new plant was being built. Another draw was the resources available through the University of Georgia and the Athens Tech QuickStart program. These resources could help them with their greenfield project. So in 1988, Nakanishi Manufacturing Corporation (NMC) became the first overseas production facility to be established by the NKC Bearing Retainer Division. 

If you drive a car in the U.S. there is a good chance that it has a part made in Athens at NMC. NMC is a manufacturer of precision pressed metal and injection molded plastic retainers for bearings and other precision pressed metal and injection molded plastic products. Their main products are bearing retainers used in bearing assemblies for all Automotive OEM's (Original Equipment Manufacturer). They currently produce about 1.2 million parts per day. 
NMC supplies bearing retainers and other various automotive parts to the four major Japanese bearing manufacturers' production facilities in the U.S., as well as to major European and American bearing manufacturers.

NMC is one of the few companies in the world that specializes in manufacturing bearing retainers. Most of their employees are locally-hired and several have been with the company since opening day. They work with a few well-experienced Japanese engineers who can provide specialized technical support. This enables NMC to engage in metal pressing, plastic molding and lathe work with its unique high-precision manufacturing processes.

Since NMC opened, NKC's overseas production bases have expanded, including facilities in the Philippines and China. They have about 3000 employees worldwide with sales and manufacturing locations throughout the world. And just recently, NKC announced a 16,000 square foot expansion in their 180,000 square foot facility in Athens. This expansion will allow for an installation of two new 400 ton fully automated stamping presses. They will use these presses to supply a new product to Toyota.

The expansion will also require anywhere from 6-20 new positions as they launch new products. These new positions would bring their total employment to 190. The total investment in this project is $4.5 million. The expansion was designed by Athens-based engineering and architecture firm, Armentrout, Matheny, Thurmond, P.C. This design allows for a Phase 2 expansion that should be completed within the next 4-5 years. Representatives from the Economic Development Department met with members of the Nakaniski design team to explore potential roadblocks to site development for the expansion. Economic Development also joined the Planning and Public Works & Transportation Departments to participate in a Visioning Meeting with the Nakanishi design team to have a more detailed discussion about stormwater management and parking design for the site. Phase 1 of the expansion is anticipated for completion in October of 2016.

NMC may be growing but they still remember the community in which they live and strive to give back. NMC supports local charities such as the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the United Way of Northeast Georgia. They also care about the impact they have on their neighbors. It is companies like NMC that you don’t mind having in your backyard. At the Economic Development Department, we are very excited for our corporate citizens as they continue to grow and prosper. We look forward to our future together.