When people think of the prominent industries in San Diego, they often think of things like tourism, defense, and biotechnology. They don’t typically associate San Diego with manufacturing, but there is plenty of that going on as well. Yes, there’s the aerospace industry, and technically, craft brewing falls under manufacturing as well, but there are also many smaller manufacturers making specialty products that you probably didn’t know about.
One manufacturing company that has been in San Diego for many years is CBR Bearing. Since 1997, CBR has been making specialty bearings in their San Diego bearing lab. They ship them directly to their customers around the world and have amassed a loyal customer base. In fact, about 75% of their business is now from repeat customers, and business has increased every year since 1997.
CBR is a manufacturer of specialty ball bearings called ceramic hybrid bearings. The “ceramic” in their name comes from the ceramic (silicon nitride) balls that are in the ball bearings. They are considered “hybrid” bearings because the rest of the bearing is made from steel, like a traditional ball bearing.
What Are Ceramic Hybrid Bearings Used For?
Ceramic hybrid bearings have multiple uses. Motorcycle and kart racers love them because they help their motors run more efficiently, potentially shaving seconds off racing times. And as anyone in the racing business will tell you, every second (or even fraction of a second) counts!
Most of CBR ceramic hybrid bearing customers, however, are mechanics who work on equipment with industrial electric motors—especially motors that are controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD)—because they offer numerous benefits for this type of equipment.
Because ceramic is electrically non-conductive, using ceramic hybrid bearings eliminates the possibility of electrical arcing, which can cause damage to expensive equipment. Ceramic hybrid bearings also perform with 40% less friction than an all-steel bearing, allowing them to produce less heat and more power. Finally, ceramic hybrid bearings can last up to ten times longer than a comparable steel bearing, making them a great investment for those who depend on their machinery operating reliably.
Why Customers Love CBR Bearing
Since most of CBR’s customers are repeat customers, they must be doing something right as a company! In fact, their customers will tell you they are doing multiple things right. Their customers rave about the quality of the bearings CBR produces, calling them “outstanding” and ‘top shelf”. They use only aerospace-grade silicon nitride in their ceramic balls, which will never chip or fracture—even under harsh conditions.
CBR’s customer service matches their bearings in excellence. When customers call with questions, they get to talk to an expert, not just a salesperson. Sometimes, they may even speak to CBR’s owner and founder, Charlie Rowlett.
On a more practical level, CBR delivers their bearings with fast turnaround times. When a product is ordered from CBR that is in stock, it is shipped out either same day or next day. If the product is not in stock and needs to be manufactured, the turnaround time is often only a couple of weeks (or less), unlike other bearing companies that may take months! Finally, CBR’s prices are very competitive because they sell directly to the customer, which saves customers money by eliminating the middleman.
