The long-standing partnership between German distributor PICARD and Austrian manufacturer NKE FERSA is one to be admired, dating back to the early 1990s.
What makes a partnership truly strong in the technical distribution market? It thrives on shared goals and mutual trust, grounded in reliability and experience.
These qualities have defined the collaboration between PICARD and NKE FERSA for decades. Rooted in the legacy of Steyr Bearings, their partnership combines industrial heritage with modern engineering excellence and logistics expertise. Today, PICARD ranks among the world’s leading NKE distributors, with a portfolio of over 7,000 products and consistent exceptional availability.
A partnership with strong historical foundations
The origins of the collaboration between PICARD and NKE FERSA go back to the Steyr Bearings era. When the Austrian manufacturer was privatised in the 1990s and former executives went on to establish NKE, PICARD remained a trusted partner throughout this transition.
“For many decades, PICARD was an authorised distributor for Steyr Bearings, which naturally created a long-standing relationship built on trust,” explains Hans-Martin Reinhardt, Managing Director of PICARD. When NKE was founded, continuing this cooperation was the logical next step: “The NKE FERSA brand represents a natural evolution of our shared history.”
By the late 1990s, PICARD had already begun systematically stocking the NKE brand (recently rebranded NKE FERSA), laying the foundation for today’s strategic partnership.
PICARD: Inventory strength and market availability
Nowadays, PICARD is one of the strongest NKE FERSA distributors worldwide and holds the largest external NKE FERSA inventory on the market. With more than 7,000 stock items available, including deep groove ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, self-aligning ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, large-size bearings and hybrid bearings, PICARD ensures exceptional product availability for the technical trade.
“Our logistical strength perfectly complements the breadth of NKE FERSA’s premium product range,”
Hans-Martin summarises.
“Being recognised as an NKE FERSA Platinum Member highlights both the quality and the intensity of our collaboration.”
This inventory expertise enables fast response times and reliable supply chains, a decisive factor for distributors and technical wholesalers.
NKE FERSA: Engineering expertise and sustainable manufacturing
As a manufacturer with its own production facilities, NKE FERSA develops solutions tailored to the specific requirements of modern industrial applications. A strong R&D network and ISO 14001 certification underscore the company’s commitment to quality and sustainable manufacturing.
In addition, NKE FERSA has proven specialist expertise in areas such as cylindrical roller bearings, maintenance and repair applications, flanged and housed units, and customised bearing solutions. This technical depth allows the company to respond precisely to complex industrial application requirements.
Close cooperation with PICARD ensures that concrete market and customer needs flow directly into product development. “We are able to pass specific customer needs straight on to the manufacturer and actively contribute to the development of new solutions,” says Hans-Martin.
A partnership on equal footing
From NKE FERSA’s perspective, the cooperation with PICARD goes far beyond a traditional supplier-distributor relationship.
“This partnership is built on a shared history and deeply rooted values,” explains Stefan Weidmann, Sales Director at NKE FERSA. Its origins lie in the Steyr Bearings era when PICARD was already a reliable and successful contract partner. “This DNA is exactly what connects NKE FERSA and PICARD.”
Over the years, this has evolved into a partnership characterised by trust, transparency, and collaboration on equal terms. The close personal ties between PICARD’s management and the industrial heritage of Steyr continue to play a key role in this success.
Added value for technical trade
The partnership delivers clear benefits for distributors and technical wholesalers.
“Our distribution partners benefit from premium quality at attractive conditions, combined with outstanding product availability,” says Stefan.
A large part of the product portfolio is available around the clock via PICARD’s online shop and can be delivered within 24 hours from the Bochum warehouse. In addition, customers benefit from comprehensive technical support, combining PICARD’s market proximity with NKE FERSA’s engineering expertise.
Looking ahead: a partnership with perspective
Both companies are firmly focused on the future.
“We see tremendous potential in our partnership with PICARD and expect our cooperation to intensify further,” says Stefan.
With a shared commitment to innovation, quality and sustainable growth, PICARD and NKE FERSA aim to continue shaping the bearing market and setting new benchmarks for technical trade in the years to come.
Source: Best Bits
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