GGB Bearing Technology, a global leader in high performance bearing solutions, proudly announces the 70th anniversary of its Annecy, France headquarter and manufacturing facility. Highlights: Company founded in 1946 manufacturing half bearings in support of war-damaged vehicles Annecy facility today employs 246 people in three production shifts 70th Anniversary celebration to take place June 4, 2016 Founded on July 24, 1946 with approximately 50 employees, the company started off manufacturing half bearings for truck and tractor engines. Sixty-percent of the company’s output at the time was dedicated to rehabilitating local vehicles that were damaged during the war. “It is moving to realize that this company, well known in Annecy, started 70 years ago and is now recognized worldwide,” said Alain Cervantes, VP Global Marketing. “The innovative materials and solutions we’ve developed over the years were certainly part of this success, but the strongest force has been the dedication and commitment of the employees who maintained a culture of quality, service and technical knowledge throughout the years. Thank you to the generations of people who have made our success possible over the last 70 years.” A major milestone in the company’s history was the introduction of the world’s first metal-polymer bearing, the DU®. In 1998, GGB moved its headquarters across the street from its original location into a building that covers 20,000 square meters and is the company’s largest single facility. At its Annecy location today, the company employs 246 people across three production shifts and manufactures 1.5 million metal-polymer bearings and six kilometers of metal-polymer strip materials per day. Over 50 percent of the parts manufactured are dedicated to the automotive segment. The official 70th anniversary celebration will take place on June 4, 2016, and will include a plant tour, exhibition of historical photos, talks by retired employees about the company’s history, a presentation on GGB’s product applications, safety events, kids activities and an in-house band. Employees and former employees, their families, local dignitaries and local technical schools will all be invited to the festivities. The celebration is being wholly planned and carried out by GGB employees (not management) in accordance with the company’s Dual Bottom Line philosophy, which encourages the release of its employees’ full potential through supporting individual interests and initiatives.