Aftermarket Insider - June/July 2009 - (Page 22)

C O M PA N y P R O F I L E skf Keeping Things rolling sKF PREsidEnT/CEo: Tom Johnstone loCATion : 110 manufacturing and operational sites in 28 countries, with main headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden BusinEss: Manufacturer/supplier, primarily bearings and seals oBJECTivE : To be “the preferred supplier partner” to all its clients. nuMBER oF EMPloYEEs: 45,000 SKF technology goes beyond the automotive segment as well, contributing significant, knowledge-based solutions to advance the goals of industrial facilities, aerospace, wind energy technology, home appliances, health care and even skateboarding – the list goes on.” A Rolling start In 1907, a young Swedish engineer named Sven Wingquist created the world’s first self-aligning ball bearing. In the same year, Wingquist acquired the patent for his ball bearing and started SKF, an abbreviation for “Svenska Kullagerfabriken,” Swedish for “the Swedish ball bearing factory.” The first location was in Gothenburg, Sweden and employed 100 people in its first year. In 1915, SKF saw potential in the growing automotive industry and registered Volvo. The name “Volvo” had a symbolic connection to SKF’s entire operation. Volvere is the infinitive form of the verb “roll” in Latin. Conjugating volvere to its first-person singular form changes it to Volvo or “I roll” in English. Soon SKF became more than just a bearing manufacturer and started providing solutions and services within rolling bearings, seals, mecha- tronics, services and lubrication systems. Their services include technical support, maintenance services, condition monitoring and training. sKF Today The company expanded rapidly is now well established globally. Currently SKF has more than 100 manufacturing sites and also sales companies supported by about 15,000 distributor locations. They now employ 45,000 people worldwide. Their product lines include bearings, seals, timing belt kits, and u-joints for automotive, light trucks, medium duty and heavy duty trucks and agricultural equipment. SKF also offers hub caps and air dryers for the heavy-duty/fleet market. “SKF provides solutions for nearly every rotating element on a vehicle – from wheel end, to the driveline, to the engine compartment,” said Mike McGrath, president, Vehicle Service Market. “However, SKF technology goes beyond the automotive segment as well, contributing significant, knowledge-based solutions to advance the goals of industrial facilities, aerospace, wind energy technology, home appliances, health care and even skateboarding – the list goes on.” innovative Technology SKF prides itself on its innovations including the first use of sensors for safety innovations such as anti-lock brakes to the first use of mechatronics in steering and braking systems. SKF not only tests its products in laboratories and developmental environments, but in actual operating environments; on the Formula One circuit, on NASCAR Superspeedways, in industrial plants, and even in outer space — SKF technology has played an important role in NASA excursions to the moon and Mars. The knowledge gained in these environ- 22 | AFTERMARKET INSIDER | JUNE • JULY 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aftermarket Insider - June/July 2009

Aftermarket Insider - June/July 2009
Contents
President's Message
Association News
Our 10th Anniversary
Industry Events
Member Profile
Government Affairs
Campaign Update
Market Research
International Focus
AAIA and CIAPE: On a Mission
Company Profile
Inside Technology
Market Research

Aftermarket Insider - June/July 2009