Menon Bearings Limited, a manufacturer of engine bearings, has completed significant capacity expansion and introduced new product lines as part of its growth strategy in FY25. The company reported capital expenditure of INR 195.5 million towards its Bimetal division and INR 125 million for the ongoing expansion of the Alkop aluminium casting division. The Alkop capacity expansion is expected to be completed by the first quarter of FY26.
The company operates in three key business areas: Bimetal Products, Alkop (Aluminium Die Casting) and Braking Systems (Brake Lining & Brake Shoes).
In FY25, Menon Bearings operated at varying capacity utilisation levels across segments—70% in Bimetal, 68% in Brake, and 30% in Alkop. The company commenced commercial production of thrust washers at a new manufacturing facility and announced entry into the electric vehicle component segment. This includes supplying Alkop-based components to Porsche through its tier-1 supplier, Eaton. The company is also in the process of registering its brake segment products with Indian Railways as part of its efforts to expand into new segments.
The company operates a dedicated machine-building department equipped to design special-purpose machines, tooling, gauges, and fixtures using CAD tools. It also maintains an in-house tool room with machining equipment such as turning, boring, and grinding machines. This setup enables faster development cycles, first-time-right samples, and cost efficiencies in tooling and equipment fabrication.
MBL Unit (III) for specialized customers includes an in-house powder manufacturing facility using water jet atomization, lead free alloy powder manufacturing, lead free copper alloy sintered strip, thrust washer production lines, and a tin flash plating plant.
Menon Bearings is also pursuing a growth strategy in the exports market. It expects annual revenue of approximately INR 300 million from exports of bearings to the USA and plans to expand into African markets via a distributor network. Additionally, new components for a tractor client, with an estimated annual revenue potential of INR 550 million, have been approved up to 50%, with production slated to begin in May 2025.
In FY25, consolidated revenue increased to INR 2,425.2 million from INR 2,126.2 million in FY24. EBITDA stood at INR 451.6 million, up from INR 433.2 million, while profit after tax rose slightly to INR 249.3 million from INR 243.6 million. Bimetal contributed INR 1,678.8 million, compared to INR 1,454 million the previous year. Alkop generated INR 679.2 million, an increase from INR 645.2 million in FY24. Braking systems contributed INR 79.8 million, an increase from INR 45.1 million the previous year.
The company also highlighted product innovations in its braking systems division, with eco-friendly, asbestos-free brake linings and shoes designed for the commercial vehicle aftermarket. Installed capacity for this segment stands at 1.56 million units for brake linings and 240,000 units for brake shoes per annum.
Menon Bearings has five plants located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, spread across 27 acres, and maintains an office and warehouse in Indianapolis, USA. Its product range includes engine bearings, bushings, thrust washers, and aluminium cast components catering to automotive, industrial, and compressor applications. The company exports to over 24 countries, including the USA, UK, Japan, and the Netherlands.