A range of new partnerships signed with global manufacturers will see more SKF products used in a wider range of wind turbines, helicopter engines and passenger cars.

Leading wind turbine manufacturer Nordex has signed a global agreement with SKF, which is to deliver main shaft bearings and lubrication systems for Nordex’s new wind turbines worldwide.

Lars Rytter, chief procurement officer for Nordex, says, “SKF, as a supplier with a global footprint, perfectly fits our requirements for long-term strategic suppliers to Nordex.“

Meanwhile, Volvo Car Corporation has awarded SKF a contract to supply next-generation wheel hub bearing units (HBU3) for Volvo’s next generation of premium vehicles. The HBU3 is specifically developed according to Volvo’s demanding technical specifications for its scalable product architecture (SPA).

Tryggve Sthen, president, SKF Automotive, says this is SKF’s largest-ever contract with the Volvo Car Corporation.

“It is also one of the most significant orders received from our automotive customers,” he says. “Working in close cooperation, we used our technical knowledge and expertise to meet their very challenging requirements for a high-performance design that meets their weight-reduction goals.”

Finally, a long-term contract has been signed between SKF and turbine-engine manufacturer Turbomeca, a division of French-based Safran. The contract includes the supply of bearings for the latest Turbomeca engine, Arrano.

Olivier Andriès, CEO of Turbomeca, says, “We are pleased to sign this contract with SKF, which is positioned as a partner in the field of innovation, as well as operational performance.”

The new Arrano 1,100-HP engine is designed to equip four- to six-tonne helicopters.