Around 220 jobs are at risk after engineering firm NSK announced plans to cease production at its long-established Nottinghamshire site.
The ball and roller bearing manufacturer has been in business for 125 years, however, NSK informed staff on Tuesday 31 March that the site will close. The company announced it has begun consultations with the union and elected representatives regarding a proposal to withdraw production from its Northern Road site. The site is scheduled to close by March 2027.
NSK is not just a big employer in Newark but a traditional company which has been around for decades. Newark is picking up in many ways but this is a significant blow to the local economy and local families.
Paul Peacock, Labour Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council
NSK said the move is part of a wider restructuring of its European operations, driven by ongoing profitability challenges and declining demand for locally manufactured products. The company confirmed that all manufacturing roles – around 220 positions – are currently “at risk” of redundancy, although final decisions have not yet been made.
A statement from the company said: “Due to persistent challenges in the profitability of locally manufactured products in Europe, NSK has been implementing measures such as withdrawing from unprofitable businesses and reorganising production sites.
“This proposed production withdrawal is part of those ongoing reforms. NSK will consult with all stakeholders on the potential withdrawal.”
Until now, Newark was the only location outside Asia manufacturing NSK’s top-tier Super Precision Bearings.
Last November, NSK announced production would end at its two Peterlee sites in County Durham, with closure timelines to be determined separately. The company stated, “Currently, we cannot provide a reliable quantitative forecast on the impact of this decision on our business performance.
Paul Peacock, the Labour Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said it was “devastating news” and people in the town were shocked.
He said: “NSK is not just a big employer in Newark but a traditional company which has been around for decades. Newark is picking up in many ways but this is a significant blow to the local economy and local families.”
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