'NSK Solutions for the Steel Sector', an event held recently in Antalya, Turkey, attracted 100 people from 36 different companies. Staged by the team at NSK Turkey, the successful seminar commenced with a welcome cocktail before visitors were able to witness to two informative presentations on the latest product innovations and services for the steel manufacturing industry. The first, 'NSK Solutions for the Steel Sector', was delivered by Stephen Wood, Middle East Sales & Engineering Manager at NSK Europe. Mr Wood was followed by Mathieu Piquemal, AIP & Services Manager, who focused on 'AIP - NSK Value Added Services'. An enjoyable gala dinner rounded off the day. NSK's range of bearings for the steel industry are designed specifically to combat tough operating conditions, including temperature fluctuations, contamination, belt speeds of more than 200m/min, vibration and impact. Bearings are available for all stages of the steelmaking process, from raw material preparation, through the smelting process, right up to the final rolled product. For instance, NSK has developed sealed spherical roller bearings for continuous casting plants that prevent the ingress of contamination and offer optimal service life. Taper roller bearings and cylindrical roller bearings with a self-aligning outer ring are also ideal for continuous casting plants. Further innovations include taper roller bearings available in various special materials for use at rolling mills, such as Water-TF and Super-TF, together with NSK's Sealed-Clean technology. Beyond these, various bearings are offered for sinter machines, LD converters, chain conveyors, levellers and more. All are designed to be reliable, wear-resistant and durable, and thus promote profitable production. Profitability is also the aim of NSK's recently introduced AIP+ Added Value Programme. Designed to deliver a complete bearing care package, AIP+ uses a quartet of innovative maintenance and service tools - condition monitoring, mounting tools, laser alignment and lubrication solutions - which have been carefully developed to help maximise machine performance and operating life. "Our target was to demonstrate our technical knowledge to event visitors and strengthen brand awareness in Turkey," says Emrah Cakir, General Manager NSK Turkey. "The event certainly helped to further improve our relations with current and new customers, reinforcing our ambition to be seen as a 'solutions partner' rather than simply a supplier in this important sector."