DEVELOP.
ACHIEVE..
SUCCEED...
AT PETERLEE.
CONTENTS
04 06 08 09 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
The NSK way Introduction by Plant Director NSK History NSK: A Global Company NSK In Profile NSK In Daily Life Products In Action Apprenticeships/Work Experience Manufacturing Traineeship Programme Placement Programme Employee Case Study 1 Employee Case Study 2 Employee Case Study 3 Dedicated to the Community
The NSK way will distinguish our performance from the competition.
SPEED
SERVICE
PASSION
Reduce time to complete tasks in a professional quality manner.
Match our customers expectations from timely delivery to product quality and performance.
Never give up until we achieve our goal.
TEAMWORK
Together we are stronger than any individual.
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Introduction by Keith Brain, Plant Director
NSK became Peterlee's first inward investor when it opened in 1976 and since then has built up a reputation as one of the area’s most valued and respected employers...
Year on year we’ve invested in our workforce and facilities which has led to continuous growth and success for NSK Bearings Europe and the wider NSK Group. We now employ over 400 people at our plant on the South West Industrial Estate and recently secured some £3.5m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. This will complement £22.5m of capital investment in new automotive lines and in-house 6
facilities which will ensure we remain competitive and at the forefront of our industry. We know a key factor in our success is having the right people working with us. If you have the ambition, desire and commitment to be part of an international company like NSK, and are prepared to push yourself to get the most from the role, we’ll invest in you and give you the opportunity to train and develop and move up the career ladder.
NSK HISTORY
Automotive products manufacture increased
2002
1916
German sales office opened
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NSK (Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha) founded in Japan
1963
NSK Bearings Europe founded and the Peterlee plant opened
1976
Operations at Peterlee expanded
Government Regional Growth Fund application for ÂŁ3.5m of finance successful. This is being supported 2012 by ÂŁ22.5m of capital investment
1986
Hub 3 and automotive bearings announced for Peterlee
1999
Prestigious new lines for Nissan, Daimler and Renault installed on site
2013
NSK: A GLOBAL COMPANY
JAPAN | UK | USA | CHINA | INDIA |SINGAPORE
NSK has 208 business sites in 28 countries across the globe including 6 headquarters. 9
NSK IN PROFILE
NSK Bearings in Peterlee is a global manufacturer of automotive products for some of the world’s leading brands. Part of the global NSK Group, whose history can be traced back almost 100 years to 1916 when it was founded in Japan, the plant opened in 1976 and now produces wheel hub bearings and ball bearings for the automotive industry. Customers include VW, Toyota, Renault, Peugeot, Audi, Daimler, Nissan, Getrag, ZF and Sanden. Today, the NSK Group employs over 27,000 globally and over 400 people in Peterlee – many of whom have risen through the ranks and have over 20 years continuous service.
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And with ongoing capital investment and Government funding which is supporting the introduction of new lines for major clients Daimler, Renault and Nissan, all of which will be live by March 2014, NSK Bearings has established a reputation as one of the area’s most important and recognised employers. Plant Director Keith Brain said: “These are exciting times for NSK as we embark on this latest phase of expansion and investment.The financial support we’ve been given both by the NSK Group and Government is real testament to how far we’ve come over the years and will cement our position as one of the region’s leading employers.”
NSK IN DAILY LIFE
NSK has contributed to the development of a wide range of industries with its advanced technology and high-quality products ever since it produced the first bearings in Japan in 1916.
Airplanes Bullet Trains
Ships SShips hips
The NSK Group’s products now play a crucial role supporting societies around the world. Precision Machinery and Parts The NSK Group’s precision machinery and parts are the core components in the machine tools and industrial robots used to manufacture automobiles, personal computers, and other products. They are also found in equipment used to produce semiconductors and in injection molding machines. The NSK Group’s precision machinery and parts play a crucial role on the front-line of manufacturing.
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Industrial Machinery Bearings Bearings reduce friction in the rotating parts of machinery and enable smooth rotation. NSK’s bearings are used in a range of products and machines, including home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, railway vehicles such as bullet trains, steelmaking equipment, wind turbines for power generation, large industrial machinery, airplanes, and satellites.
Computers
Tractors
Windmills for wind power generators
Steelmaking equipment
Satellites
Ferris Wheels
Robots Machine Tools Copiers
Elevators
Air Conditioners
Train Platform Safety Doors
Papermaking Machines
Washing Machines
Construction machinery Pumps
Trucks
CT Scanners Automobiles
Motorcycles
Trains
PRODUCTS IN ACTION
Automotive Bearings Some 100 to 150 bearings are incorporated into a single automobile. The NSK Group provides numerous products that support the diverse automotive needs of society, including various bearings used in the engine, transmission, and electrical components as well as the hub unit bearings that support the axle. Automotive Parts The NSK Group’s automotive parts include many important components that control forward motion, turning, and stopping in automobiles, such as steering systems that transmit the driver’s movement of the steering wheel to the vehicle’s wheels, and clutches that are used in automatic transmissions. The Group’s products also contribute to automobile safety, comfort, and environmental performance.
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The NSK Group’s automotive parts include many important components that control forward motion, turning, and stopping in automobiles.
Bearings manufactured at Peterlee include front and rear wheel hub units and transmission and engine accessories.
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APPRENTICESHIPS/WORK EXPERIENCE
As part of its commitment to supporting young people into work, NSK operates a rolling apprenticeship programme. Each year the company aims to take on at least one apprentice in areas of the business as diverse as engineering and human resources to planning and IT and has a successful track record when it comes to the retention of people who join the company via this route. NSK also works with the local schools and colleges to offer work experience placements to pupils and students who are keen to equip themselves with the
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skills and experience needed to prepare them for employment, or who want a taste of life working for a large multi-national company. Lisa Hirst who is responsible for learning and development at NSK said: “We are always on the lookout for talented young people to join us, whether on a work experience placement or as an apprentice if they prove that they have potential to grow with us.�
The traineeship has been excellent. I’ve learned a lot and it will really help me in my job. I’ll be sharing what I learn with my colleagues so it will benefit them too.
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The four employees are now undertaking a threeyear training programme which includes a variety of courses at Hartlepool College of Further Education. They are also being given on the job training by a technical team mentor. Operator Iain Musgrove was one of those chosen. He said: “The traineeship has been excellent. I’ve learned a lot and it will really help me in my job.
I’ll be sharing what I learn with my colleagues so it will benefit them too.” Richard Byatt, Engineering Manager, said: “We know how important it is to invest in the right people as they’re often difficult to find; you need to develop them and equip them with skills and experience. This is fundamental to our future sustainability.”
MANUFACTURING TRAINEESHIP PROGRAMME
The Manufacturing Traineeship Programme was introduced by NSK as part of its succession planning agenda and, after a rigorous selection process, four candidates were selected.
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PLACEMENT PROGRAMME
NSK recognises how placements and short term internships can significantly enhance the employability of university and college students by providing them with on-thejob experience. The company regularly provides such opportunities to talented individuals who are keen to equip themselves with valuable skills and expertise which set them up for a career post education. If you are selected for one of the placement positions on offer, you will be given the opportunity to spend a small amount of time in each department within the Peterlee plant to gain a full understanding of how NSK works. You will then devote your time to
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one specific area of the business where you will contribute to departmental objectives, continuous improvement and projects. Successful completion of a placement programme may even lead to further job opportunities. For more information contact Chloe Hopper, HR Officer, at peterleehr@nsk.com.
1997 - 2009 - developed into the role and gained the experience needed to take his next step up the career ladder 2009 - Completed an NVQ in Team Leading and was promoted to machine setter where his potential for leading a team was realised 2010 - Undertook a group leader development programme 2012 - 2013 - Completed an Improving Management and Leadership Skills qualification
Jonny’s NSK career so far
1997 - Jonny left school and started at NSK as an operator
EMPLOYEE CASE STUDY
Jonny Collard started working at NSK after he left school and was initially employed as an operator. However, after showing willingness to progress and impressing with his work ethic, Jonny was offered the chance to undertake an NVQ Team Leader’s qualification. After completing that and being promoted into the role of Group Leader, Jonny opted to take an Improving Management Leadership Course which means he can take the next step up the career ladder when the opportunity arises.
Jonny, who has worked at NSK for 16 years, said: “I came here straight from school and 16 years later I am still here. It’s a great company to work for and one which will offer you the chance to progress if you show you want to and are prepared to work hard. It’s not just a factory job; it’s secure employment and rewarding to those who do want to push themselves.”
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EMPLOYEE CASE STUDY
Kyle Lisgo graduated from Teesside University in May 2010 as a software engineer and shortly afterwards joined NSK as a database analyst on a sixmonth contract. The 28-year-old was recruited to look at some of the software systems NSK had in place and see how they could be improved. After impressing in the temporary role, he was offered a permanent role with the company and is now focussing on introducing systems which improve the efficiency and profitability of the company. Kyle said: “I was over the moon to get the job here so soon after graduation and I’ve never looked
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back. I do love the job as it comes with quite a lot of responsibility. “There are only three of us who can do programming like this, which means the demands are great and the role is inevitably varied. “NSK is the type of company that if you impress, they will invest in you. I came in here on a sixmonth contract and three years later I’m still here.”
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I was over the moon to get the job here so soon after graduation and I’ve never looked back. I do love the job as it comes with quite a lot of responsibility.
“
I would recommend NSK to anyone who has ambition to do well because if you show willing, there are some great training and development opportunities.
EMPLOYEE CASE STUDY
Charlotte Byers is NSK’s HR Assistant responsible for employee relations. She joined the company in April 2012 after working in a number of temporary roles in the region following her graduation from university with a degree in Human Resources. The 25-year-old is enjoying the role, which is giving her the chance to learn and train, both on the job and at college, including recently completing her CIPD accreditation. Her responsibilities include everything from occupational health and management reporting to
health and safety and employment issues. Charlotte said: “The role is so diverse and is really giving me the chance to develop as a HR advisor. NSK is a great company to work for and I’m very fortunate that I’m working with a group of people who are helping me learn every day. “I would recommend NSK to anyone who has ambition to do well because if you show willing, there are some great training and development opportunities.”
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DEDICATED TO THE COMMUNITY
Although part of a multibillion dollar global group, NSK Bearings Europe prides itself on its commitment to supporting staff, both on and off the job, and involving itself with the local community. Whether making donations to charity events staff members are taking part in, introducing schemes which benefit the workforce such as the Staff Occupational Health Service, organising morale boosting family events such as its Christmas fun day or working with local schools and colleges to encourage pupils and students to pursue careers in engineering and other science-based disciplines, the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility agenda is an integral part of the NSK Group ethos.
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And the investment reaps rewards – the company has an enviable record when it comes to staff retention with the average length of service being over 15 years. Steve Metcalfe, HR Manager at NSK, said: “We pride ourselves on our commitment to giving something back, whether it be to our staff or the local community; we know this will set us apart and ensure we retain and attract the best people.”
In 2013, mentors from NSK Peterlee gave support and advice to local students as part of the Future Business Magnate programme, helping Easington Academy to make the top ten out of 23 North East secondary schools.
For more information contact the HR team on email: peterleehr@nsk.com Chloe Hopper, HR Officer Lisa Hirst, HR Assistant (Learning and Development) Charlotte Byers, HR Assistant (Employee Relations and Recruitment)
NSK Bearings Europe Ltd 3 Brindley Road South West Industrial Estate Peterlee, County Durham SR82JD 0191 586 6111 Please also visit our website: www.nskeurope.com Global NSK: www.nsk.com
Every care has been taken to ensure the information in this publication is accurate but no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Š Copyright NSK 2013. The contents of this publication are the copyright of the publishers.