Jiangsu Lixing General Steel Ball is based in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

Jiangsu Lixing General Steel Ball (JGBR) announced plans to establish a joint venture, Jiyou Lixing (Shanghai) Technology, together with three other companies on Sept 16.

The new venture will focus on new energy vehicles, automation equipment, and robotics. Leveraging the partners' international channels and resources, the company aims to expand into key global markets including Europe and North America, while building a Chinese high-end transmission component brand.

According to the plan, the joint venture's R&D center will be located in Shanghai, while its manufacturing base will be set up at Lixing's headquarters in Rugao, Jiangsu province.

Shi Bo, general manager of Lixing, said the company expects to launch its first embodied intelligence product in December 2025. It also plans to complete its expansion into European and North American markets by 2026 and establish a product chain related to new energy vehicles and silicon nitride ceramics by 2027.

Founded in 1989, Lixing has become a recognized player in the global bearing industry. The company has entered the global procurement system of the world's top eight bearing manufacturers and, through these partnerships, indirectly supplies several internationally renowned robotics companies.