Specialist Bearing News

The food recall lesson hiding inside a bearing housing

Bearings 23-09-2026

Food safety is often discussed in terms of ingredients, labelling and traceability. But the machinery used to process and package food can also influence contamination risk. The wrong component choice can make equipment harder to clean or increase the risk of premature failure in demanding processing environments. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explains why bearing specification should be considered from the start when designing or maintaining food processing machinery.

Your heatwave breakdown started months ago

Bearings 18-08-2026

Rising temperatures rarely create equipment faults, they reveal the maintenance that never happened.

Designing miniature bearings for electrification

Bearings 13-08-2026

Electric motors are becoming the preferred choice across an increasing number of applications and, according to Fortune Business Insights, the global electric motor market is projected to almost double in value by 2034. Manufacturers are replacing hydraulic, pneumatic and combustion-powered systems with compact electric alternatives that consume less energy and require less maintenance. Designers naturally focus on batteries, motors and power electronics during development, but bearings are just as important to overall system performance. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of miniature bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explains how electrification is changing miniature bearing requirements.

Small parts have a big impact

Bearings 17-07-2026

Modern manufacturing places extraordinary pressure on supply chains, and vulnerabilities often originate with components that are small enough to be overlooked. Miniature bearings — tiny, precision-engineered parts measuring only millimetres across — are a prime example. Despite their size, they are essential to the reliability of countless pieces of equipment, and when their arrival is delayed, this can disrupt entire operations. As Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings, explains, building resilience around these components is becoming increasingly important.

Industrial bearings support the Gen AI revolution

Bearings 01-07-2026

According to PwC, 70 per cent of CEOs worldwide believe Generative AI (GenAI) will significantly transform the way their companies create, deliver and capture value. That includes manufacturers, who can use the systems to spot equipment failures and minimise downtime. Here, Chris Johnson of SMB Bearings emphasises how industrial bearings equipped with sensors can support GenAI by providing real-time data and insights.

Tackling critical points of failure in manufacturing

Bearings 10-06-2026

Maintenance has traditionally been seen as a cost to minimise, though many manufacturers now recognise it as a strategic priority. Despite this, there is still work to be done. Research by IDS-INDATA show that UK and Europe based manufacturers could face costs of up to £157 billion in 2026 alone because of unplanned downtime. Outages can last from hours to days, leading to substantial energy losses and operational costs. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explains why bearings can become critical points of failure and why embedding proactive maintenance strategies is essential for operational resilience.

Miniaturisation in MedTech

Bearings 16-04-2026

Medical devices are becoming smaller, lighter and more portable. From handheld diagnostic tools to wearable infusion pumps and compact surgical instruments, reduced size is now a defining feature of many new Medtech products. While miniaturisation brings clear benefits for patients and clinicians, it also introduces mechanical constraints that can influence how reliably these devices perform over time. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explores how mechanical decisions that once seemed secondary can begin to dictate overall product success.

Keeping hydrogen systems steady

Bearings 13-04-2026

Hydrogen projects are expanding across transport, energy and industrial processing, with global demand projected to rise through to 2030 according to The International Energy Agency (IEA). These systems place heavy demands on small rotating parts, and any change in friction, temperature or material behaviour can lead to wear. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explores why components such as bearings have a direct impact on the safety and stability of hydrogen systems.

Could precision miniature bearings help reduce aircraft maintenance costs?

Bearings 11-03-2026

Rising maintenance costs and declining performance metrics are putting pressure on airlines, especially as ageing aircraft require more complex upkeep. While AI and digitalised maintenance can help streamline operations, they face integration challenges with older systems. Precision miniature bearings, paired with Industry 4.0 sensors, offer a practical way to improve predictive maintenance. By capturing data on vibration, heat and load, these small components play a big role in early fault detection, reducing delays, easing pressure on MRO teams and improving overall cost‑effectiveness.

The expanding universe of miniature bearings

Bearings 10-03-2026

Precision miniaturisation is driving innovation across robotics, medical technology and electric vehicles as engineers design smaller, more efficient systems. Chris Johnson of SMB Bearings explains how high-performance miniature bearings are becoming essential to reliability in applications such as surgical robots, compact EV drivetrains and wearable diagnostics.

SMB Bearings receives safety star award from Avetta

Bearings 09-03-2026

Miniature bearing specialist SMB Bearings has received the prestigious safety star 2025 award from Avetta in acknowledgement of its exceptional safety standards, operational excellence and commitment to reducing risk across its supply network. The award highlights SMB Bearings’ dedication to delivering reliable performance for customers operating in demanding environments.

Clean-label trends in the food industry

Bearings 05-03-2026

Consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for fresher, less-processed foods, with 75 per cent saying they are prepared to spend extra on clean-label products. Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings, explains how industrial bearings are playing an increasingly important role in meeting food safety standards and regulatory requirements.