RKB: Swiss Precision and Global Trust

SantEnt: Leading independent distributor of RKB

Introduction 

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The RKB Group, a Swiss manufacturer, has established itself as a formidable name in the global bearing industry since its inception. Renowned for its stringent quality control and comprehensive product range, RKB designs and produces high-precision industrial rolling bearings for a multitude of demanding sectors worldwide. From standard ball and roller bearings to highly specialised custom solutions, the RKB brand is synonymous with durability, reliability, and Swiss engineering excellence. With decades of experience and a robust global network, SantEnt is proud to be a leading supplier of RKB products, ensuring our clients receive authentic bearings with unparalleled service.

RKB at a glance

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Founded	1936
Headquarters	Balerna, Switzerland
Leadership	Giangiacomo Colleoni
Tentative Revenue	Not Publicly Disclosed
Listed on Stock Market?	No
Parent Organisation(s)	None
Subsidiary Organization(s)	The RKB Group includes a global network of branch offices and logistics centres.
Ownership	Colleoni family
Other Group Entities or Stakeholders	No

History of RKB

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Year	Milestone
1936	The company traces its roots to the Colleoni family's commitment to creating high-quality rolling bearings.
1960	A new 9,000 sqm modern facility was established to significantly expand operations during the economic boom.
1978	RKB initiated close cooperation with technological partners to exchange manufacturing expertise in overseas projects.
2007	A new advanced production plant was opened to significantly increase manufacturing capacity and efficiency.
2013	The RKB Group was formally established to embrace the new challenges of the global economy
2021	The official opening of the new 56,000 sqm RKB T3 Plant marked a major expansion in manufacturing.
FY2025-FY2027	RKB acquired 40,000 sqm of new property for the future T4 Plant, continuing its strategic growth.

RKB Product Portfolio

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Ball Bearings

Sub-categories	Products & Features	Applications	Industries
Deep groove ball bearings	Single/double row, open/sealed (2Z, 2RS) types, low friction, versatile design.	Electric motors, pumps, gearboxes, conveying systems.	General Machinery, Automotive, Agriculture.
Angular contact ball bearings	Single/double row, matched pairs, high radial & axial load capacity in one direction.	Machine tool spindles, high-speed pumps, compressors.	Machine Tools, Aerospace, Heavy Industry.

Spherical Roller Bearings

Sub-categories	Products & Features	Applications	Industries
Standard designs	Cages (steel, brass, polyamide), cylindrical/tapered bore, high load capacity, tolerates misalignment.	Vibrating screens, continuous casters, crushers, fans.	Mining, Construction, Steel Mills, Paper Mills.
Special designs	Sealed versions, custom clearance, optimised for harsh conditions.	Wind turbines, marine propulsion systems, heavy-duty gearboxes.	Renewable Energy, Marine, Heavy Machinery.

Cylindrical Roller Bearings

Sub-categories	Products & Features	Applications	Industries
Single rows	Separable design, high radial load capacity, high-speed capability, various cage designs.	Industrial gearboxes, electric motors, rolling mills.	Power Generation, Metalworking, Automotive.
Single row full complements	No cage, maximum number of rollers, very high radial load capacity, moderate speeds.	Crane sheaves, heavy-duty transmissions, lifting equipment.	Material Handling, Construction Machinery.
Double rows	High radial stiffness and load capacity, available in cylindrical or tapered bore.	Machine tool main spindles, large gearboxes.	Machine Tools, Heavy Industry.
Double row full complements	Maximum radial load capacity in a compact design.	Rolling mill stands, pulley sheaves.	Steel Industry, Port Cranes.
Multi rows	Four-row and six-row configurations, primarily for very high radial loads and shock loads.	Work rolls and back-up rolls in rolling mills.	Metal Rolling Mills.

Tapered Roller Bearings

Sub-categories	Products & Features	Applications	Industries
Single rows	Separable cup and cone, accommodates combined radial and axial loads.	Wheel hubs, axle boxes, gearbox shafts.	Automotive, Railway, Agriculture.
Double rows	Two single-row bearings arranged back-to-back (TDO) or face-to-face (TDI).	Heavy-duty gear reducers, cranes, mill stands.	Mining, Construction, Industrial Transmissions.
Four-rows	High radial and axial load capacity in a compact space, used in roll neck applications.	Work rolls and back-up rolls in hot and cold rolling mills.	Steel and Aluminium Industry.

Thrust Bearings

Sub-categories	Products & Features	Applications	Industries
Thrust ball bearings	Single/double direction types, accommodates axial loads only.	Machine tool spindles, rotating tables, clutch release mechanisms.	Machine Tools, Automotive.
Cylindrical roller thrust bearings	High axial load capacity, shock resistant, minimal axial space required.	Extruders, crane hooks, vertical pumps, drilling swivels.	Plastics Industry, Oil & Gas, Material Handling.
Tapered roller thrust bearings	Very high axial load capacity, accommodates high shock loads.	Injection moulding machines, gearbox applications.	Plastics Industry, Heavy Machinery.
Spherical roller thrust bearings	Self-aligning, accommodates very heavy axial and moderate radial loads.	Vertical shaft applications, extruders, ship propulsion.	Marine, Power Generation, Pulp & Paper.

Additional Products

Sub-categories	Products & Features	Applications	Industries
Accessories	Adapter sleeves, withdrawal sleeves, lock nuts, and locking devices for mounting.	Bearing assembly and dismounting on shafts.	All industrial sectors.
Combined bearings	Integrates radial and axial rolling elements for complex load conditions.	Forklift masts, telescopic arms, lifting systems.	Material Handling, Logistics.
Needle roller bearings	High load capacity in a small radial space, suitable for compact designs.	Automotive transmissions, two-stroke engines, pumps.	Automotive, Power Tools, Industrial Machinery.
Railway bearings	Axlebox bearing units (TBU, CRB, CRU), specialised for rolling stock.	Freight cars, passenger coaches, locomotives, metros.	Railway and Transportation.
Slewing bearings	Large-diameter bearings for slow-rotating, heavy loads; with or without gears.	Cranes, excavators, wind turbines, tunnelling machines.	Construction, Renewable Energy, Robotics.
Solid oil bearings	Bearings pre-filled with a polymer matrix saturated with lubricating oil.	Applications where relubrication is difficult or impossible.	Food & Beverage, Conveying Systems.
Spherical plain bearings and rod ends	Maintenance-free or regreasable types for oscillating and tilting movements.	Hydraulic cylinders, construction equipment linkages.	Construction, Agriculture, Automation.
Toroidal roller bearings	Combines self-aligning capability of spherical roller bearings with axial displacement of cylindrical bearings.	Paper machine dryer sections, fans, continuous casters.	Paper Industry, Mining, Steel.
Track rollers	Thick-walled outer ring for running on tracks, high radial load capacity.	Cam drives, conveyor systems, automation lines.	Automation, Packaging, Material Handling.
Wound bearings	Bearings with a filament wound composite self-lubricating liner.	High-load, low-speed oscillating applications.	Construction, Agriculture, Marine.

Stay updated with RKB

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Learn more about RKB's: 

- Latest Product Innovations
- Technological Advancements
- Corporate News

And so much more, on the link below!

Why choose SantEnt for your RKB requirements?

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• Vast Inventory, Global Sourcing & Competitive Pricing
  Over 60,000 bearings in stock and strong relationship with the Manufacturer & other distributors helps us ensure no RKB product is too far from you, and is always competitively priced through our extensive collaborations and strong relationships with our supply chain stakeholders to achieve the best prices for RKB products. Additionally, we are Authorised Distributors of Schaeffler, FAG, INA, FYH, Optibelt and Dodge.
• Genuine Products Guaranteed over Decades of Trust
  As a renowned Bearing distribution company established in 1977, our third generation is equipped with Engineering, Technology & Business Management education as well as corporate experience. This enables us to deliver genuine products with professionalised services to our rapidly growing global customer base spread across 60 countries and 6 continents.
• Robust Technical & After-Sales Support
  Owing to the criticality of the products we deal in, our responsibility starts much before the supply of products, by way of Technical Support in identifying the right spare parts for the desired application, eliminating instances of failure or premature breakdown. Even after supply, we closely work with our customers in case of any queries or support requirements such as product warranty, installation & storage guidance to cite a few.