A leading Dutch manufacturer of thrusters and bow thrusters began cooperating with RKB in March 2022. After an extensive testing program with established bearings, RKB demonstrated equivalent performance and was approved as a third- to fourth-choice supplier. Between 2022 and 2023, the collaboration delivered 81 bearing types totalling 2,089 units.

RKB’s TTU supported the manufacturer on two occasions, resolving concerns about surface roughness and cage composition through technical explanations and assembly guidance. This confirmed product reliability and led to RKB’s promotion to first- and second-choice supplier.

The partnership also produced a spherical roller thrust bearing series with controlled height (EJXH suffix), simplifying end-user maintenance without component rework. A similar approach was applied to tapered roller bearing units in DF/DB configuration, where RKB outperformed other premium brands previously used by the manufacturer. Peter Van Deursen, official representative of the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium