About IKO Products Product Support Videos News Contact EN Contact A Proud Legacy IKO Nippon Thompson has continuously been in the forefront of key developments in the field of linear and rotational motion. Ever since the start of the company in 1950, we have dedicated ourselves to serving the industry with innovative products that help our customers to develop state-of-the-art equipment and machines. We are proud to be recognized as “experts in MOTION” and have lived-up to that expectation with more than 70 patents and many significant milestones over the years: 1950 Established Daiichi-Kogyo Co., Ltd., with capital of ¥500,000 in Nagoya, Japan for the purpose of selling bearings and other machine components. 1956 Launched R&D activities for the production of Needle Roller Bearings. Started selling Needle Roller Bearings via a business alliance with Nippon Thompson Bearing Co., Ltd. 1959 Established first Factory in Himeji, Japan and began manufacturing of Needle Roller Bearings. 1963 Registered our corporate brand as trademark. 1969 Established Gifu Factory Complex in Gifu, Japan. 1972 Established Technological Laboratory at Kamakura Factory. 1975 Established NIPPON THOMPSON EUROPE B.V. in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 1978 Developed and started selling Linear Motion Rolling Ways (start of our current Linear Way Series). 1979 Introduction of IKO's first 4-row Linear Way (LW). 1981 Introduction of IKO's first 2-row Linear Way (LWA) and start of mass producing linear Ways with preload. 1982 Introduction of IKO's first Crossed-Roller Ways (CRW). 1983 Developed and started selling the first 2-row Linear Roller Ways (LRW). 1984 Completed 2nd factory at Gifu Factory Complex. 1985 Developed and started selling Precision Positioning Tables (currently Mechatronics Series). 1986 Introduced IKO's first angular Ball Spline (LSA). 1987 Awarded “Good Design Awards” (operated by Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO) endorsed by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry) with Linear Way LWA, Angular Ball Spline LSA and Precision Positioning Table CT220/220A. 1988 Completed 3rd factory at Gifu Factory Complex. 1989 Developed a compact 2-row Ball Spline "LSAG" for the micro-chip mounting industry. 1990 Introduction of Japan's first 4-row Linear Roller Way (LRWX). 1991 Introduced the first Ball Slide equipped with a built-in rack-and-pinion (BSPG). 1993 Introduction of the Miniature Linear Way series. 1994 Presented the World's smallest Linear Way (LWL5) with a rail width of 5mm! 1995 Completed 4th factory at Gifu Factory Complex. Awarded 26th “New Machine Developing Award”, sponsored by Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry with Linear Motor Table TSLM. 1996 Presented the World's smallest Linear Way (LWL3) with a rail width of 3mm! 1997 The first manufacturer of Linear Ways that offers interchangeability, doing away with matching rails and carriages. 1998 Introduction of a revolutionary internal lubrication system "C-Sleeve" (later renamed to "C-Lube"). Presented the World's smallest 4-row Linear Roller Way (LRX12) with a rail width of 12mm! 1999 Developed an all-new U-shaped Linear Way, which also formed the basis for the TU high rigidity Precision Positioning Table. 2001 Presented the World's smallest Linear Way (LWL2) with a rail width of 2mm! 2002 Introduction of the LRX85, the largest Linear Roller Way in Japan. 2004 Introduction of the IKO CRWG Crossed-Roller Way with rack-and-pinion system. 2005 MX Linear Roller Way series available with "C-lube" maintenance free feature. 2006 Established IKO THOMPSON VIETNAM CO., LTD., with a brand-new production facilities in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Introduction of the World smallest Linear Roller Way with a track rail width of 10mm! 2007 Awarded “Machine Parts Prize”, a subcategory of the 4th Monozukuri Parts Prize by The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Ltd. with Linear Roller Way Super X (LRXD10...SL). 2008 Introduction of 3 revolutionary products: Super Slim Crossed Roller Bearings series (CRBT) The World smallest Precision Positioning Table (TM) The World smallest Cam Follower (CFS1.4) 2010 Micro Precision Positioning Table TM is awarded "Nippon Brand Award" by "CHO MONOZUKURI Innovative Parts and Components Award 2010". 2012 Smaller sizes introduced for several series: MXD10, MLF6 and CRWG2. Introduction of a double-row angular contact Roller Bearing. 2014 Smallest size Maintenance Free Linear Way (ML) with track width of 3mm. Introduction of new downsides Linear Way with smaller dimensions and higher load capacity (MV) 2015 Extension of the largest Linear Roller Way series LRX85, with standard, long and extra-long block type. Introduction of the smallest size Crossed Roller Way (CRWG1) with improved load capacity. 2019 To accommodate our growing operations IKO Nippon Thompson Europe relocated to new headquarters in Rotterdam. 2021 New Partnership started with AutomationWare located in Italy. IKO has a new partner, AutomationWare who has a high quality with a latest Mechatronics and Robotics. 2021 IKO Nippon Thompson Europe have been operating for 45years from Rotterdam. Discover what IKO products can do for your application ! Discover all IKO products in this on-line catalog ! (Flash required) Nippon Thompson Europe B.V. | nte@ikonet.co.jp | Tel +31 (0)10 462 6868 | Nippon Thompson Global Website Our General Terms and Conditions for Sale are available here. Our Privacy Policy is available here. © 2018 IKO Nippon Thompson Europe B.V. / Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.