With over 40 years of experience, Knowell International Pvt Ltd is one of India's leading bearing distributors and suppliers. In this interview, Jatin Shah, Managing Director and CEO, Knowell International Pvt Ltd, highlights the importance of bearings in propelling the growth of the manufacturing sector and the company's strategy to stay ahead in the industry.

Established in 1984, Knowell International started with a clear mission – to bridge the gap between high-quality bearings and the growing demand for India’s industrial sector. Over the last four decades, we have built our reputation on trust and reliability, and live by our motto “Service without Compromise” to provide our customers with 100 per cent genuine products with prompt customer service. 

Our success is rooted in three key pillars: quality, customer service, and nationwide reach. We work closely with globally renowned bearing manufacturers such as NACHI, FYH, KHK, NMB, IJK, SAMICK, RHB and ISC, ensuring we bring advanced, efficient and reliable products to our customers. Through our bearings we are able to provide efficiency not only in terms of production but also from a cost-saving perspective. In addition to this, our Pan-India distribution network, supported by over 60 authorised distributors, allows us to provide timely deliveries across key industrial clusters. 

Finally, our commitment to technical expertise and after-sales support ensures that customers get the right solutions tailored to their specific application needs, whether it’s for precision engineering, automotive, or heavy machinery. Based on these pillars, we are proud to be recognized as one of India’s largest and most trusted industrial bearing distributors.

The Indian bearings market is witnessing strong growth, driven by expanding manufacturing capabilities, rapid infrastructure development, and increased investment in sectors such as automotive, railways, renewable energy, and industrial automation. Additionally, the push for ‘Make in India’ is boosting domestic manufacturing across sectors, directly increasing the demand for high-performance bearings.

Knowell International is well-positioned to leverage these opportunities through strategic product diversification, strong global partnerships, and our extensive inventory storage capabilities. As one of the largest stockists of bearings in India, we stock a wide range of bearings that not only enable us to cater to a wide range of industries but also make us a one-stop shop for any type of bearing needs. We constantly introduce cutting-edge bearing technologies, such as high-speed precision bearings, maintenance-free bearings, and energy-efficient units, to meet evolving industry requirements. 

Additionally, our technical consultation capabilities also allow us to work closely with OEMs and manufacturers to offer customised bearing solutions that enhance equipment performance and lifecycle.

Our bearing solutions play a crucial role in critical manufacturing processes across industries. In automotive manufacturing, our precision ball bearings and roller bearings support high-speed machining and assembly lines, ensuring reduced downtime and improved efficiency. In the steel and cement industries, our heavy-duty roller bearings and pillow block units enhance the durability and performance of rotating machinery. Knowell has also made significant contributions to renewable energy projects, supplying specialised bearings for wind turbines and solar systems. 

Moreover, in the textile, food processing and packaging sectors, our miniature bearings, roller bearings and linear bushings have supported high-speed automation, helping customers adopt Industry 4.0 practices. 

The bearing industry in India is at the precipice of change and with the manufacturing push in the country, it is evolving to keep up with the growing demand. One of the most interesting trends we are slowly seeing develop is a change from a price conscious to quality conscious consumer. We see more customers now opting for bearings that will provide their machinery with longevity and better quality. Secondly, there is a growing demand for energy-efficient bearings to not only reduce overall costs but also extend service life. Lastly, with an increase in manufacturing and exports within the country, there is a stronger demand for application-specific bearing designs, especially for emerging sectors. 

Knowell International is actively aligning with these trends by partnering with innovative global brands that are heavily in research and technology to meet these demands. 

The Indian bearings industry is set for strong growth over the next five years, driven by government initiatives like 'Make in India' and infrastructure expansion. Increased domestic manufacturing and PLI schemes will reduce import dependence and boost local production. Increased investments in roads, railways, and metro projects are already driving industrial bearings demand, while the automotive sector’s shift to EVs and stricter emission norms will require advanced, energy-efficient bearings. However, challenges like fluctuating raw material costs, competition from global players, and the need for technological upgrades persist. Overall, the industry is poised for steady expansion, backed by rising demand from automotive, industrial, and infrastructure sectors, positioning India as a major player in the global bearings market.

For Knowell International, this is an opportunity to deepen our domestic footprint while also expanding into emerging sectors. Our focus will remain on product innovation, technical advisory services, and strengthening our supply chain, ensuring we can support India’s next wave of industrial growth efficiently. 

To stay ahead in the competitive landscape of bearing distribution, we have been investing both in product innovation and digital transformation. 

On the products front, we are constantly working with our global partners to bring their latest innovations to the market promptly. We are also investing heavily into increasing our inventory capabilities to meet the demand we anticipate in the future. We have a warehouse with 40,000 sq. ft. storage capability coming up by May 2025 that will not only help us store more products but provide our customers with more optionality and prompt delivery. Automation is a key part of this facility which will enable us to process orders in shorter amounts of time. 

For digital transformation, we are looking at both online as well as offline channels to increase our reach to customers. We are investing in software to increase inventory allocation and tracking of goods. Additionally, we are increasing our presence in online spaces to build awareness for our products, educate people about our product quality and efficiency, and make their information more readily available to our customers. 

Looking ahead, Knowell International aims to strengthen its position as a leading bearing distributor in India while expanding our footprint in more industrial and remote areas across India. We are also exploring opportunities to collaborate with OEMs across different industrial verticals, offering them our technical expertise and supply chain capabilities. With our new warehouse facility, we are confident in catering to different companies with diverse requirements. 

Our long-term strategy is to be seen not just as a bearing supplier, but as a solutions provider – a partner who can guide customers through product selection, performance optimisation, and lifecycle management, making us the first choice for industrial bearings in India.