Skip to main content
Image

History

A Long History of Innovation

 

From humble beginnings over 120 years ago to a leader in product development, GGB continues advancing surface engineered solutions through innovation and expertise.

 

  • 1887

    Olin J. Garlock patents his first industrial sealing system used to seal piston rods in industrial steam engines.

  • 1899

    Cuyler W Findlay and A J Battle found Findlay Motor Metals, renaming the company to Glacier Antifriction Metal Company two years later.

  • Image
    In 1910 Glacier Antifriction Metal Company begins producing plain bearings in response to the increased demand for internal combustion engines

    1910

    The company begins producing plain bearings in response to the increased demand for internal combustion engines.

  • Image
    GGB DU plain bush introduced in 1956

    1956

    • Introduces DU® bush, the world´s first steel backed metal-polymer bearing material with bronze and PTFE lining offering excellent low friction and wear resistance performance.
    • Introduces DU-B bushwith bronze backing for improved corrosion resistance.
  • 1958

    Garlock Inc. is established as the US bearing distributor for Glacier.

  • Image
    GGB's DX greased plain bearing launches 1965

    1965

    Launches the marginally lubricated DX® metal-polymer material for grease or oil lubricated applications.

  • 1970

    Technology is licensed to a number of overseas bearing manufacturers by Glacier. Licensees include SIC (France) and Garlock Inc. (USA).

  • 1976

    Glacier and Garlock Inc. establish joint venture company Garlock Bearings Inc.

  • Image
    GGB's Gar-Max introduced in 1978

    1978

    Introduces the filament wound product range in the U.S. including GAR-MAX®, supporting high static and dynamic loads.

  • Image
    GGB's HI-EX® plain bearing launched in 1986

    1986

    Launches HI-EX® metal-polymer material, a marginally lubricated bearing material designed for use in high-temperature applications.

  • Image
    GGB's DP4 and DP4-B lead-free plain bushings launched in 1995

    1995

    • Lead-free, steel-backed DP4 metal-polymer material is introduced to the market for automotive shock absorbers and other hydraulic applications.
    • Introduces DP4-B with bronze backing for improved corrosion resistance
  • Image
    GGB's Injection-molded, thermoplastic solid polymer EP bearings launched in 1996

    1996

    Launches EP®, a new range of injection-molded, thermoplastic solid polymer bearings.

  • Image
    Enpro Industries

    2002

    B.F. Goodrich creates a new public company and splits it off to shareholders. Glacier Garlock Bearings becomes a subsidiary of EnPro Industries Inc., the leading provider of engineered products for the processing and general manufacturing industries worldwide.

  • Image
    GGB's DP31 metal-polymer material launches offering improved performance characteristics in 2003

    2003

    • Introduces lead-free DP31 metal-polymer material with improved performance under lubricated conditions, wear resistance, fatigue strength and low friction.
    • Acquires Saver North America, a producer of self-lubricating composite bearings and other composite products for the industrial, automotive, electrical and marine markets.
  • 2004

    • Glacier Garlock Bearings changes name to become GGB.
    • Opening of the new manufacturing plant in Sučany, Slovakia, joining the list of global production facilities in Germany, France, Brazil, and the U.S.
  • 2006

    GGB changes name into GGB Bearing Technology

  • Image
    GGB's SBC sealed bearing cartridges launch in 2007

    2007

    • Introduces SBC sealed bearing cartridges for off-highway, construction and earth-moving equipment applications.
    • Acquires Böhringer Kunststofftechnik GmbH, precision injection molder of high-performance solid polymer solutions.
  • Image
    GGB's DX®10 wins the 2008 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation of the Year

    2008

    • The first Asian manufacturing facility begins production in Suzhou, China.
    • New DX®10  bearings are recognized by winning the 2008 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation of the Year award in the Class 7-8 truck bearings category, awarded for excellence in new products and technologies in the industry.
  • Image
    In 2009, GGB North America is certified to the aerospace industry's standard AS9100D

    2009

    • filament-wound product range is introduced to the European and Asian markets combining self-lubricating properties with a strong, stable structure to meet high-load, low-wear application requirements.
    • GGB North America is certified to the aerospace industry’s standard for quality management systems (AS 9100D), aligning GGB’s quality management system with the industry’s global standard.
  • Image
    GGB's Lead-free DP10 and DP11 metal-polymer materials are introduced in 2010

    2010

    Lead-free DP10 and DP11 metal-polymer materials are introduced for superior performance under marginally lubricated and dry running conditions.

  • 2011

    • GGB production plants receive certification for the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS 18001) for health and safety management systems.
  • Image
    GGB's DU® aboard NASA's Curiosity Rover lands on Mars & GGB launches DTS10®

    2012

    • GGB bearings land on Mars aboard NASA’s Curiosity rover. The self-lubricating DU® metal-polymer bearings serve as the primary suspension components for Curiosity’s drill spindle.
    • DTS10® self-lubricating machinable metal-polymer bearings are launched for the fluid power and compressor markets.
  • 2013

    Launches new self-lubricating metallic bearing materials GGB-CSM® and GGB-CBM® as well as FLASH-CLICK®, a patented two-piece, double-flanged solid polymer bearing.

  • 2014

    • Series of self-lubricating sintered bronze and sintered iron bearings introduced, including GGB-BP25GGB-FP20 and GGB-SO16
    • Three plants mark milestone anniversaries: 40 years for Heilbronn, Germany and Dieuze, France, and 10 years for Sučany, Slovakia 
  • Image
    GGB's HPMB® self-lubricating fiber reinforced composite bearing launches

    2015

    • HPMB® self-lubricating filament wound bearings with machinable liner and AuGlide lead-free bimetal bearings introduced
    • Thorofare, USA filament wound plant relocated to nearby larger new facility
  • 2016

  • 2017

    GGB´s manufacturing plant in Suzhou, China received AS9100D certification, a global quality management standard for aviation, space and defense industries.

  • Image
    GGB Bearings becomes GGB in 2018

    2018

    • Changed company name to GGB. 
    • Launched the tribological self-lubricating EP®30 engineered plastics material for hydrodynamic applications. 
  • Image
    GGB EP15 UV-resistant engineered plastics overmoulding design bearings

    2019

  • Image
    In 2009, GGB North America is certified to the aerospace industry's standard AS9100D

    2020

    GGB Heilbronn in Germany earns the EN 9100 Aerospace certification.

  • Image
    Ecovadis silver medal for sustainability

    2021

  • Image
    The Timken Company acquires GGB

    2022

    • In November 2022, GGB joins The Timken Company, a global industrial leader of engineered bearings and industrial motion products.
    • GGB Slovakia is granted the "Safe Enterprise" award for the fourth time in a row.
    • For the second consecutive year, GGB France earns the EcoVadis Silver Medal for sustainability. 

Need advice?

Our experts are ready to help you find the right solution for your specific application.