SKF has taken a strategic decision to shift its global business focus back to the company’s core strength - bearings. “Since 2007, we have been successfully placing our energy into seals, lubrication, power transmission, mechatronics, condition monitoring and engineering service solutions to support our quality bearing range,” says SKF services and solutions manager for southern Africa, Sarel Froneman. “But we may have been too successful, losing focus on what is fundamental to our rotating technology solutions, namely our bearings.” CEO, Alrik Danielson believes that SKF must once again become the world’s number one bearing company. “Our mandate is to raise the profile of SKF bearings across all our product and services offerings,” he says.
Bearing remanufacture is another key function of SKF’s application engineering. “Our basic remanufacturing service can restore unused bearings that have passed their shelf life to ‘as new’ at about 15% of the cost of a replacement bearing, offering fast turnaround times and a reduced carbon footprint,” continues Froneman. “For bearings that have been in operation, we offer a full Level 4 remanufacturing service.”
SKF’s asset management services embrace maintenance solutions based on asset criticality and optimise equipment reliability for maximised uptime. This is in line with the new SKF vision - A World of Reliable Rotation - to deliver improved productivity and low cost of ownership. Froneman says that it is not about selling as many bearings as possible. “The bottom line is that by adding value through holistic rotating technology and service solutions, we build long-term customer partnerships,” he concludes.
New digital tool reconditioning portal puts customers fully in control
News & events
Sandvik Coromant has upgraded its tool reconditioning service for solid round tools. The upgraded service replaces a previously manual, multi-stage workflow with a streamlined, fully online experience that dramatically reduces quotation and turnaround times.
Read more...New automation innovations on show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
News & events
South African engineers are leaders in innovation and technology development. Many of these innovations and newly automated systems will be on display at the largest trade show of its kind in southern Africa, Electra Mining Africa 2026, taking place in Johannesburg later this year.
Read more...Sealed split spherical roller bearings slash MTTR by 70% SKF South Africa
Shaft power components
SKF Cooper sealed split spherical roller bearings have a unique split design combined with a robust sealing system. These innovative bearings enable fast, simple, onsite, in-place bearing replacement or repairs even in hard to reach areas.
Read more...Next-generation grease pumps SKF South Africa
Other technologies
SKF has introduced its latest advancement in lubrication technology with the unveiling of a new line of air-operated grease pumps.
Read more...Investment in training is key for the lubrication industry
News & events
Lubrication management has grown more sophisticated in recent years, yet equipment failure rates linked to lubrication problems remain stubbornly high. The reason for this is that technology can only go so far without the people behind it being properly trained.
Read more...Elevating artisanal skills is key to revitalising South Africa’s economy
News & events
We need to challenge the stigma attached to artisanal and technical careers, and we also need a mindset shift supported by the schooling system so that young people understand future career pathways, choose subjects accordingly, and recognise that artisanal and technical skills carry equal value in a modern economy.
Read more...From the editor's desk: A tool not a crutch Technews Publishing
News & events
Every year, the dictionaries try to summarise a year of human behaviour with a single word, the word of the year. You can question the value of this, but it’s quite entertaining. Words are important, ...
Read more...Experience ICRA 2026 right here in Gqeberha, South Africa
News & events
The IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) is the largest robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing conference in the world. You can experience the premier keynote and plenary presentations in Gqeberha.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version