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KINEX BEARINGS 120 years anniversary

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Introductory words

Year 2026 is exceptional for our company as we celebrate 120 years of history, during which we have become a synonym for quality and reliability in the field of mechanical engineering and bearing production. This page is a tribute to our history and to the achievements of our employees and partners who have stood by us through more than a century of uninterrupted production. Discover the story of the KINEX brand, which combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technologies, and see how our values continue to guide us into the future.

Our History

1898 – 1906: Beginnings before the company was established

The establishment of a small workshop producing metal goods (Jakub Morgenstern and Viliam Kohn) without an official name or registration in the business register.

Production: wood thread cutters (“klupne”) and metal goods.

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1906: The beginning of company history

In 1906, workshop owners Jakub Morgenstern and Viliam Kohn founded a company that was entered into the business register under number 6324/1906 on 6 October 1906. The company was named “Vágvölgyi vasipar, részvénytársaság Nagybittsén” (Považský Kovopriemysel, Joint-Stock Company in Veľká Bytča).

Production: iron and copper furniture, stoves, measuring instruments, general metal goods.

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Founding charter from 1906
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1921 – 1932: Stabilisation and new direction

1921 – name change: Považský železný priemysel, Joint-Stock Company

Expansion of production: brass beds, curtain rods, small pressed goods.

1929 – introduction of nickel-plated and chrome-plated products.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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1932 – 1948: KOV, a.s.

1932 – new name: KOV, a.s. in Veľká Bytča

Production: brass products, chrome-plated goods, metal furniture.

1941 – 1943: construction of new production facilities, introduction of technical documentation, and modernisation of management.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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1948: Nationalisation

KOV, a.s. was nationalised and incorporated into Považské strojárne, National Enterprise (Považská Bystrica).

The production range changed significantly: calipers, spirit levels, rulers, squares, threaded rivets, and fittings.

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1948: Start of construction of the plant in Kysucké Nové Mesto

10 October 1948 – ceremonial opening of the plant construction.

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1950: Opening of the plant in Kysucké Nové Mesto

29 October 1950 – start of production under the name Závody presného strojárenstva Líšeň, National Enterprise – Viliam Široký Plant, Kysucké Nové Mesto.

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1950: Production of balls and ball bearings

In July 1950, the company produced its first ball bearing in Kysucké Nové Mesto, type 6204. It was the first bearing produced in Slovakia.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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1953: Production of rollers and cylindrical roller bearings

Start of production of single-row cylindrical roller bearings in Kysucké Nové Mesto.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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1953: Establishment of an independent national enterprise

1 January 1953 – new name: Mechanika, National Enterprise Bytča

The enterprise also included plants in Martinkovice and Prague.

Exports to 37 countries – mainly measuring tapes and marking instruments.

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1954: KINEX brand and production innovations

1954 – introduction of the KINEX brand.

Start of production of military equipment, later accounting for up to one third of total production.

Introduction of more precise manufacturing according to ČSN standards.
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1959: Production of railway bearings

Single-row cylindrical roller bearings for railway vehicles.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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1964: Production of aerospace bearings

For various aerospace industry applications.

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1968: Production of textile industry bearings

Special double-row ball bearings.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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1978: Production of water pump bearings

Special double-row bearings.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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1987: Production of bottom bracket bearings for bicycle

Special double-row bearings.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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1996: Entry of Shareholder HTC Holding

The entry of the Slovak shareholder HTC Holding into the ownership structure of the company in 1996 represented a milestone in the process of the company’s transformation and internationalization.

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2005: KINEX BEARINGS, a.s.

Foundation of a trading company.

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2009: New aerospace bearings production area

Realized in Bytča plant.

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Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
Friendly professional woman in a job interview or career discussion in a modern office setting.
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2013: KINEX Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd

Foundation of a subsidiary in China.

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2016: Merger of companies

KINEX BEARINGS, a.s., KINEX – KLF, a.s. and KINEX, a.s. merge into KINEX BEARINGS, a.s.

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2016: Production of engineering components

Foundation of Machinery division.

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2020: CKA Birla Group

KINEX BEARINGS becomes part of an international industrial group.

120 years thanks to you

For 120 years, our company has been writing its story – a story of tradition, quality, and precision. This success would not have been possible without you, our customers, partners, and employees, who have stood by us throughout the entire period. Thank you for being part of the KINEX brand story. Your support enables us to continue our tradition.