AD reports that member sales in the first three months of 2024 hit a record $19.5 billion, a 7% increase across AD’s 14 divisions and three countries. Same-store sales increased by 3% in the U.S., 2% in Canada, and 5% in Mexico, in their respective currencies. Member purchases from AD suppliers grew 2% to $4.7 billion. 71 new members joined AD in the first quarter of the year, including 50 that joined as part of the Edge Group merger, effective January 1. AD members also acquired another 10 companies outside of AD. AD CEO Bill Weisberg said, “Our community of independent distributors remains f ..read more

April marks a momentous occasion for Midland Bearings, a leading supplier of bearings and essential industrial components across the UK. The company is proudly celebrating its 40th anniversary, a testament to its unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service, a vast product range, and unwavering support for British businesses. Founded in 1984 by Managing Director Phil Chesworth, Midland Bearings has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Initially operating from a small unit, Phil’s vision and dedication fuelled the company’s growth, transforming it into an industry leader. Today ..read more

Have you ever noticed the backstage performers who dance behind the hero? Most people will say no, but they are the ones who sacrifice their grace to support the main act. In the world of machinery, this parallels the role of the thrust ball bearing. Though often unnoticed, they’re like the heroes who work behind the scenes, making sure everything runs smoothly despite facing tough challenges like friction and heavy loads.  They play a crucial role in countless applications, from automotive to aerospace industries. Today, we’ll dive into their world to discover their hidden ..read more

Ball bearings are among the most widely used bearings ever, and their straightforward construction allows for a wide range of applications. They are widely utilised as wheel bearings and are present in automobiles, bikes, skateboards, and various machinery throughout nearly every industry. To lessen rotational friction between two objects, utilise ball bearings. They take advantage of the fact that rolling elements create less friction than sliding elements by sandwiching one or more rows of balls between an inner and an outer raceway. They provide high rotating speeds with very litt ..read more

When you realize you have to replace a rolling bearing (either a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a tapered roller bearing, or a thrust bearing), it helps to understand how these precision components function in the larger mechanical system before you get out the cutting wheels and torches and dive into a frustrating job. Of course, the bearing’s job in the machine is either to support parts which turn relative to another, and/or to transfer forces between moving parts – often one stationary part and one rotating part.  For example, the wheel bearings in your car allow the ..read more

Introduction In the field of mechanical engineering, recognition of the need to constrain relative motion between two parts and reduce the friction generated by that motion is thousands of years old. Early bearings were what we now call “plain bearings” and consisted of a bearing surface and no rolling elements. Today, each kind of bearing has a wide array of engineered materials that can be used to sustain greater speed of relative motion, allow greater loads, and extend the maintenance cycle and lifetime of the bearing. In fact, much of the advancement in bearing performance is due to advanc ..read more

Thrust ball bearings are a specific type of rotational bearings that are used in multiple machines and gadgets. From small-scale gadgets to large vehicles, thrust ball bearings are used in a number of areas. Thrust ball bearings are a crucial part of a lot of machines, so it is imperative to know their applications.  These bearings are small and do not work on their own, but when they are part of a machine, they make the machine work. There are a lot of companies like Bolton Engineering Products Ltd. that create such bearings and supply them to machine manufacturers. Thrust ball bearings ..read more

As motorcycles and scooters have become more popular in recent years, American brand PFI talk about the comprehensive and wide range of high quality bearing solutions in place. In the past decade, the demand for motorcycles and scooters has experienced a significant upsurge, driven by their ability to provide freedom of movement in congested urban environments, as well as low environmental impact, and convenient parking options, while being cost-effective versus the other mobility alternatives. The younger consumers actually prefer them as a more adventurous and exciting means of transportatio ..read more

Bearings…maybe a less understood and appreciated component given the complexity of today’s increasingly automated manufacturing systems, yet such a vital part in any kind of machine that requires smooth and reliable motion control. The technology of bearings is well documented, especially when metal-forming processes were significantly improved over 200 years ago, which became the basic ingredient for many of today’s bearings. Fast forward to now and the rapidly increasing demand for precise motion control and advanced automation systems has resulted in the development of an extensive range of ..read more

Multi-award winning distributor Quality Bearings Online provides incredible support to Leeds children’s charity Candlelighters, raising vital funds through various activities. A Yorkshire-based bearing distributor pledged to support Candlelighters, a Leeds-based non-profit charity which supports families with children who are battling cancer. The team chose Candlelighters as their charity of the year in 2023, with the goal of raising £5,000. They surpassed this target and have raised over £8,000. Founded in 1976, Candlelighters was formed by a group of parents and medical staff who recognised ..read more