Pioneer Motor Bearing Company honored with
prestigious North Carolina Governor’s Export Award
Kings Mountain, NC – Pioneer Motor Bearing Company is proud to announce that it has been awarded the North Carolina Governor’s Export Award – Rural Category, celebrating its achievements in international trade. Presented by Governor Josh Stein at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, NC, on March 19, 2025, this award highlights Pioneer’s excellence in exporting.
Pioneer earned this distinction through its strategic expansion into the Japanese power generation aftermarket. Partnering with Yamato Metal Co., Ltd. (Chiba, Japan), the companies identified a growing demand for bearing repair services in Japan’s power sector. By combining Yamato’s local presence with Pioneer’s technical expertise, the company successfully provided bearing repairs, analysis, and upgrades to major electric power producers, including Japan’s largest utility and one of the world’s largest gas turbine power plants.
President David Saldo and Adrian Bardet, VP of Sales and Marketing, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Saldo, with over 30 years at Pioneer, oversees all aspects of operations, while Bardet played a key role in establishing and maintaining the company’s presence in Japan.
“We are thrilled with the work we’re doing in the Japanese market,” said David Saldo. “Our end users now have access to aftermarket services and are no longer beholden to OEM pricing and delivery times—just as our American customers have for over a century.”
Adrian Bardet added, “Being selected for the Governor’s Export Award is an incredible honor. We identified this need nearly a decade ago, and given Japan’s conservative business culture, success required significant investment. Seeing our long-term vision materialize is truly rewarding—and we’re just getting started.”
A globally recognized center of excellence for fluid film bearings, Pioneer Motor Bearing Company continues to enhance efficiency and performance in critical machinery worldwide. The company’s success in Japan underscores its commitment to innovation, global partnerships, and exceptional service in a specialized market.
Pioneer earned this distinction through its strategic expansion into the Japanese power generation aftermarket. Partnering with Yamato Metal Co., Ltd. (Chiba, Japan), the companies identified a growing demand for bearing repair services in Japan’s power sector. By combining Yamato’s local presence with Pioneer’s technical expertise, the company successfully provided bearing repairs, analysis, and upgrades to major electric power producers, including Japan’s largest utility and one of the world’s largest gas turbine power plants.
President David Saldo and Adrian Bardet, VP of Sales and Marketing, accepted the award on behalf of the company. Saldo, with over 30 years at Pioneer, oversees all aspects of operations, while Bardet played a key role in establishing and maintaining the company’s presence in Japan.
“We are thrilled with the work we’re doing in the Japanese market,” said David Saldo. “Our end users now have access to aftermarket services and are no longer beholden to OEM pricing and delivery times—just as our American customers have for over a century.”
Adrian Bardet added, “Being selected for the Governor’s Export Award is an incredible honor. We identified this need nearly a decade ago, and given Japan’s conservative business culture, success required significant investment. Seeing our long-term vision materialize is truly rewarding—and we’re just getting started.”
A globally recognized center of excellence for fluid film bearings, Pioneer Motor Bearing Company continues to enhance efficiency and performance in critical machinery worldwide. The company’s success in Japan underscores its commitment to innovation, global partnerships, and exceptional service in a specialized market.

Governor’s Export Award winners – NC Governor Josh Stein front left and NC Secretary of Commerce Lee Lille front right.

Left to right: Melissa McGurk and Melanie Underwood of the Economic Development Partnership of NC, Adrian Bardet of Pioneer Motor Bearing, NC Governor Josh Stein, David Saldo of Pioneer Motor Bearing, Alexis Gordon of the City of Charlotte, and Lee Lilley, NC Secretary of Commerce.

Left to right: Adrian Bardet, VP Sales and Marketing of
Pioneer Motor Bearing, NC Governor Josh Stein, David Saldo, President of Pioneer Motor Bearing and Lee Lilley, NC Secretary of Commerce. (Photos provided)
Pioneer Motor Bearing, NC Governor Josh Stein, David Saldo, President of Pioneer Motor Bearing and Lee Lilley, NC Secretary of Commerce. (Photos provided)

NC Governor Josh Stein addressing the recipients and other dignitaries at the NC Governor’s Export Awards ceremony.