NTN, a global leader in bearing technology, has been formally recognised as an official partner of Italian motorcycle icon Ducati, marking a major milestone in a technical collaboration that spans more than three decades. This new certification reflects both companies’ shared commitment to innovation, precision engineering and high-performance mobility.
In a major development for the international bearings and motorcycle engineering communities, NTN Europe has been officially certified as a Ducati Official Supplier, marking a historic recognition of more than 30 years of partnership between the two companies. This milestone was spotlighted during the prestigious EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, one of the most influential events in the global two-wheeler industry.
Ducati’s decision to include NTN in its elite circle of certified partners—the Ducati Official Suppliers (DOS) programme—represents definitive affirmation of the Japanese-European manufacturer’s technical expertise, product quality and consistent reliability. NTN’s elevation to this status is not merely symbolic: it reflects the deep mutual trust built over decades of collaboration, as well as Ducati’s confidence in NTN’s ability to contribute at the highest levels of performance engineering.
From its origins as a niche Italian motorcycle maker, Ducati has grown into a global benchmark for high-performance machines. Its dominance in top-tier motorcycle racing such as MotoGP, combined with a strong presence in premium road bikes, has cemented the company’s reputation for technical audacity and engineering excellence. To support this ambition, Ducati relies on a small number of world-class partners whose components and expertise help push the boundaries of mechanical performance.
NTN’s long-standing role in this ecosystem has centred around its advanced bearing technologies and motion solutions—key components that underpin the efficiency, stability and durability of high-performance motorcycles. Over the years, NTN bearings have been used in critical Ducati systems including steering columns, transmission assemblies, crankshafts and wheels, where precision and reliability are non-negotiable. These parts must withstand extreme dynamic loads, high rotational speeds and harsh operating conditions, making their performance vital to Ducati’s engineering success.
The official supplier designation formalises what has been a technical partnership built on capability and trust. Ducati’s DOS programme is highly selective: only companies that meet exacting standards for product quality, technological innovation and operational excellence are included. By gaining this certification, NTN joins a distinguished group of contributors whose work directly supports Ducati’s design, testing and production processes.
Gian Maria Facheris, Managing Director of NTN Italia S.p.A., emphasised the significance of this achievement, describing it as both a recognition of past efforts and a catalyst for future collaboration. “Being recognised as a Ducati Official Supplier is a source of great pride for our teams,” he said, acknowledging the shared passion for performance and precision that unites the two organisations. For NTN, this represents the culmination of years of collective engineering work and continuous improvement.
Looking forward, the partnership aims to expand into new technological areas aligned with the evolving demands of the motorcycle industry. Key focus areas include energy efficiency, enhanced reliability and sustainable innovation—goals that resonate with both companies’ strategic visions. For Ducati, improving the performance and environmental footprint of its machines remains a priority as the industry navigates electrification, new materials and advanced powertrain systems. For NTN, the objective is to develop smoother, more efficient and more sustainable motion solutions that meet the needs of demanding original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide.
The global bearings sector stands to benefit from this officially recognised collaboration. By bringing together Ducati’s high-performance engineering requirements with NTN’s precision component expertise, the partnership highlights how close cooperation between OEMs and suppliers can accelerate innovation, improve product performance and set new industry benchmarks. It also reinforces the critical role that well-engineered motion components play in enabling the next generation of advanced vehicles—whether in racing, everyday road use or emerging mobility technologies.
In summary, NTN’s certification as a Ducati Official Supplier is more than a ceremonial recognition: it is a testament to 30 years of shared pursuit of excellence and a strategic foundation for future technological advancements. This milestone not only celebrates long-standing mutual trust, but also signals continued collaboration at the cutting edge of motorcycle performance and mechanical engineering.
