NTN Corporation (hereafter, NTN) announced that Dominique Lavilla, CEO of NTN Europe S.A. (headquartered in Annecy, France, hereafter, NTN Europe), a consolidated subsidiary of NTN, has been awarded the title of Chevalier in the National Order of Merit (Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite) by the French Republic. Established in 1963, the National Order of Merit is one of France's most prestigious honors. It is conferred by the President of the French Republic on individuals—both French citizens and foreign nationals—who have made exceptional contributions in fields such as industry, economy, and culture. NTN Group established a sales company in France through a joint venture with a local firm in 1964 and has since expanded steadily by setting up manufacturing facilities for bearings and automotive constant velocity joints (CVJs). In 2008, NTN acquired SNR ROULEMENTS, a subsidiary of Renault. Today, NTN Europe serves as the central hub, operating multiple manufacturing and sales sites. Through the development, production, and sale of products for automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery markets, NTN continues to advance these sectors while driving further growth in its European and African operations. Since 2021, Mr. Lavilla has served as CEO of NTN Europe, leading the transformation of NTN Group's European and African operations. He has strengthened strategic sites across France and driven innovation projects, particularly in electrification. In addition, as a member of local economic organizations such as chambers of commerce, he has worked to foster dialogue with local communities and actively contributed to regional economic development. These efforts have been widely recognized as contributions to enhancing France's industrial competitiveness and supporting local communities, leading to this prestigious award.
