Promoted by Tamil Nadu Industrial Corporation (TIDCO) in a joint venture with S M Palaniappa Chettiar, Asian Bearings manufactures ball and roller bearings of all kinds. It entered into a technical collaboration with VEB Kombinat Waelzlager Und Normteile (an amalgamation of bearing companies in Germany which markets bearings under the brand name DKF). Under the agreement, the collaborators were to supply all technical know-how and provide designs, drawings, etc to manufacture ball, taper and cylindrical roller bearings. The company's products find applications in motors, handpumps, idlers, machinery and the automobile industry. It also manufactures components like nuts, blanks and rings for the textile industry and also supplies bearing rings to other manufacturers. The company's major customers are HMT, Kirloskar Bros, Enfield, Mahindra & Mahindra Tractors, Escorts, NLC, Bhilai Steel Plant, Crompton Greaves, Hindustan Sheet Metals, etc. In order to step up production of taper roller bearings, the company initiated self-manufacture of rollers and cages. During 1986-88, it came under the purview of sick industrial companies and reference was made to BIFR. In 1988-89, the company's rehabilitation scheme was accepted by BIFR and a relief package sanctioned. In 1993-94, it staged a remarkable turn-around and recorded a marginal profit against the losses made the previous years. During 1997-98, the Company shifted its concentration to Export of Bearings and & Auto Components. The company is exploring export possibilities in USA, UK, South Africa, New Zealand etc. It also acquired QS 9000 certification and ISO 9001 certificate from the earlier ISO 9002 during 1998-99. ABL has developed polyamide shields to replace metallic shields and also special polyamide retainers replacing metallic retainers, for high speed applications, for ball bearings.