Goodbye Cars, Hello Chips as Toyota Supplier Embraces Tech World

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NSK Ltd. has been making transmissions and ball bearings for Japanese cars for half a century, but the 102-year old manufacturer is now undergoing a major shift as it supplies components critical to digital products and services.

Sales of components for chip-making machines and robot parts are helping to fuel earnings growth. Operating profit from industrial products will grow 34 percent this fiscal year to 38 billion yen ($350 million), according to NSK’s outlook, helping to make up for a 17 percent profit decline in the automotive business.