The Global Standard for Reliability in Fluid Film Bearing Performance - DE
As machinery grows larger, faster, and more efficient, Kingsbury continues to evolve our fluid film bearing designs to meet the demands of modern industry through engineering expertise, proven performance, and a century-long commitment to reliability.
The World Leader In Fluid Film Bearing Technology Since 1912
Explore Kingsbury’s full range of Hydrodynamic Thrust and Journal Bearings, engineered to meet the load, speed, and reliability demands of today’s rotating machinery.
Thrust Bearings
Kingsbury’s Thrust Bearings deliver exceptional load capacity and efficiency, ensuring smooth operation and extended service life.
Journal Bearings
Kingsbury’s Journal Bearings provide high load capacity, durability, and efficiency for smooth, reliable operation in demanding industrial applications.
Combination Bearings
Kingsbury’s Thrust and Journal Combination Bearing System in its own housing saves OEMs money.
Fixed Profile Bearing
Our Fixed Profile Fluid Film Bearings are ideal for less challenging low load/low speed applications.
About Us
For strategic reasons, Kingsbury GmbH was founded as the first subsidiary outside the USA by the descendants of founder and legendary inventor Dr. Albert Kingsbury (1862 – 1943). Their vision was to significantly simplify transport and logistics for customers in Europe, avoid currency influences, offer real-time customer support, and overcome language and cultural barriers. With a very experienced local team, this project was successfully implemented in two stages. Beginning with sales and customer support at the end of 2011 through to the preparation of production with state-of-the-art production machines and measuring devices and the start of production in mid-2014.
In the meantime, Kingsbury GmbH has established itself on the market as a reliable and competent plain bearing developer and manufacturer for numerous customers from all over the world.
Many self-developed standard products and customer-specific solutions for high technical requirements are used in turbines, compressors, pumps, and gearboxes for different industrial applications.
With its many years of experience in research and development in the manufacture of hydrodynamic bearings, the team in Göttingen contributes to expanding Kingsbury’s overall product portfolio to cover customer needs optimally and comprehensively.
History
Kingsbury’s story began in 1912 when Dr. Albert Kingsbury’s Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing proved its reliability in a Pennsylvania Hydroelectric Plant. The same unit operated for more than a century before its first major overhaul, demonstrating the durability and performance that still define our products today.
From that single installation, Kingsbury set the global standard for hydrodynamic bearing design. Over the years, our engineers expanded from thrust to journal bearings, advancing lubrication methodologies, pad geometry, and materials to meet higher loads and tighter tolerances. The introduction of the Leading-Edge Groove (LEG) design marked a significant milestone, improving oil flow and reducing temperature rise in high-speed applications.
Partnerships with OEMs, utilities, and the U.S. Navy have driven our innovation and manufacturing precision for more than a century. From early hydroelectric turbines and naval vessels to today’s turbomachinery and power systems, Kingsbury bearings continue to deliver predictable performance, long service life, and lower operating costs. Our legacy of engineering leadership remains grounded in data, testing, and continuous improvement, and that same commitment guides every bearing we produce today. Click here to read more about Kingsbury’s history.
Innovation
Research and Development at Kingsbury
With over a century of field-proven experience, Kingsbury’s R&D Team continues to advance the science of hydrodynamic bearing performance. Our renowned engineering approach combines extensive application data with modern analysis tools to refine bearing designs to meet the demands of today’s high-speed, high-efficiency turbomachinery.
Our R&D mission centers on developing new bearing technologies, enhancing existing products, resolving complex application challenges, and delivering accurate performance modeling.
Using advanced data acquisition and testing systems, Kingsbury Engineers evaluate vibration behavior, pad temperature distribution, and dynamic stability under demanding conditions. These studies have driven innovations such as patented direct lubrication and SSV features that reduce pad flutter, minimize subsynchronous vibration, and extend bearing life.
This commitment to research ensures Kingsbury Bearings continue to set the benchmark for reliability, efficiency, and precision in critical rotating equipment.
Our goal is to best utilize our R&D resources to maintain leadership and technological advantage in the fluid-film industry.
Company Leadership
Dr. Morched Medhioub
Managing Director, Kingsbury GmbH
Michael J. Brawley
President & CEO
Michael J. Brawley is Kingsbury’s President & CEO. Mr. Brawley is the seventh President since Albert Kingsbury incorporated the business in 1921.
Brawley has been with Kingsbury since 1985, holding various positions in the Sales department including Sales Applications Engineer and Domestic Sales Manager. In 2003, he was asked to head Kingsbury Magnetic Bearings (KMB) Division. Following the sale of KMB, he took over the company’s Repair & Service Division in 2008. In July 2016, he was named Chief Operating Officer, and was responsible for Kingsbury’s stateside operations in Philadelphia, PA, Oshkosh, WI, and Yuba City, CA.
Brawley holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Widener University, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University, and an MBA from Colorado State University. He was elected by the Board of Directors of Kingsbury to the role of President & CEO, in March 2017.
Mick McCann
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Mick McCann is Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. McCann started at Kingsbury in 1994 as a Sales Applications Engineer responsible for customers in the southeast United States. In 1998, McCann’s responsibilities were expanded to include Far East Asia. By 2003, he became responsible for the management of the Domestic Sales staff and was appointed Director of Sales & Marketing in May 2007, taking responsibility for Kingsbury’s worldwide sales effort. Since that time, McCann has made regular visits to worldwide customers to cultivate Kingsbury’s business interests.
McCann holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University.
In April 2010, the Board of Directors appointed Mick Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and an Officer of the Company.
Lou Krajewski
Director of Engineering
Lou Krajewski is Kingsbury’s Director of Engineering. Lou began his career at Kingsbury in 2009 as a Design Engineer responsible for hydrodynamic bearing designs in highly engineered applications. Since then, Lou’s role has grown to support a wide variety of hydrodynamic bearing applications in both fossil and hydroelectric power generation as well as petrochemical and process machinery. Lou has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia to educate users and provide on-site technical support of Kingsbury’s products. In addition to his role as Design Engineer, Lou has held several roles at Kingsbury including Assistant Chief Engineer and Chief Engineer. Lou was appointed as Director of Engineering in July 2025 and is now responsible for Engineering, Design, Research & Development and Field Service activities.
Lou holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Temple University and a Masters of Materials Science and Engineering degree from North Carolina State University. Lou is an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and regularly speaks on the subjects of bearing design, maintenance and new research at technical symposia and user groups throughout the world.
Sean T. O’Hara
Chief Financial Officer
Sean T. O’Hara serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Kingsbury, Inc. He holds Officer status within the company and is a member of the President’s Council, Finance and Audit Committee, and Retirement Benefits Committee.
He commenced his tenure with Kingsbury, Inc. over 35 years ago. As Chief Financial Officer, he oversees the company’s financial operations, including Accounting, Treasury, Audit, and Financial Analysis. His responsibilities also extend to Human Resources, Information Technology, and Logistics Management, and he makes substantial contributions to the organization’s strategic planning initiatives.
Sean O’Hara has been a transformative force at Kingsbury, driving strategic initiatives that have strengthened the company’s financial and operational foundation. He played a pivotal role in implementing the ISO 9001 quality management system and led the deployment of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, enhancing efficiency and performance. O’Hara also developed a tax optimization model for U.S. exporters, which led to the formation of a foreign business corporation where he serves as Treasurer. In 2010, he established an LLC to manage Kingsbury’s real estate assets, focusing on asset protection and tax efficiency, and continues to oversee all related transactions, construction financing, and operations. His leadership was further demonstrated in 2019 when he was appointed to lead a critical turnaround at a California operating site. In 2024, he was responsible for leading the AI initiative, facilitating collaboration and achieving the project’s objectives.
Beyond his corporate achievements, O’Hara is deeply engaged in community and educational leadership. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Holy Ghost Preparatory School, where he chairs the Audit Committee and contributes to the Executive and Finance Committees. He previously held similar roles at Holy Family University, including Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Executive, Finance, and Investment Committees. Additionally, O’Hara served as President of the Yardley Makefield Soccer Club, supporting youth development through sports. His broad expertise and commitment to excellence continue to make a lasting impact both within and beyond the organization.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. In addition, he has earned certifications in corporate development strategies, artificial intelligence strategies, real estate financing, human resources management, sustainable enterprise development, executive business management, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Joy Johnson
Corporate Secretary
Joy L. Johnson joined Kingsbury in August 2013 as Executive Secretary, providing support to the President & CEO, Board of Directors, Shareholders, and Executive Leadership Team. Ms. Johnson brings more than twenty-five years of experience in Corporate Secretarial services, governance, and board liaison roles, along with extensive experience supporting executive teams and boards of directors. She was appointed an Officer of the Company and serves as Corporate Secretary of Kingsbury, Inc., a position she has held since July 2017. Ms. Johnson has also achieved a Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise Executive Education & Development (SEED), reflecting her commitment to responsible governance and sustainable business practices.
Sustainability
Kingsbury treats climate challenge as a shared responsibility. We are actively engaged in reducing GHG emissions from our operations and applying our engineering expertise to build a business that supports renewable energy efforts and we aim to become a Green Energy Company by 2035. Learn how we are putting this into action.
Interested in Joining Kingsbury?
At Kingsbury, collaboration is part of our daily rhythm. Whether you’re on the shop floor or in the office, you’ll find people who are committed to the work and respectful of the people doing it. We value honesty, accountability, and a workplace where people enjoy showing up.