SKF formally opened its most recent factory in Shanghai, China, on November 7, 2003.

SKF Shanghai Bearings Co Ltd is a joint venture between SKF and Shanghai Bearing Corporation in which SKF has the majority shareholding (60 percent) and management responsibility. The company was established in 2002.

The new factory, situated in the Pudong Development Zone, manufactures deep groove ball bearings. Three of six production channels have already been installed and contain the latest manufacturing technology. The factory began volume production during 2003 after pre-production samples were rigorously inspected and tested by SKF at its facilities in Europe.

The factory will produce deep groove ball bearings of different sizes with a wide variety of final variants to meet customer needs and applications. These bearings can be used in a wide range of applications, including household and electric motors.

“This investment is another testimony to SKF’s commitment to China,” said Tom Johnstone, CEO and president of AB SKF, at the official inauguration of the new Shanghai factory. “We have been growing rapidly in recent years, and we intend to continue to strengthen our position in this challenging and fast-growing market.”

The factory has sufficient floor space to double its capacity, in the event of a second phase of investment.

This is SKF’s fifth joint venture in China and its second with Shanghai Bearing Corporation, the first being SKF Automotive Bearings Co Ltd, which was set up in 1995.