In early 2002, SKF acquired Erin Engineering and Research Inc. of Walnut Creek, California. The company provides maintenance engineering to the power generation and hydrocarbon processing industries in the United States.
   Erin Engineering and Research employs 90 people throughout the U.S. and has an annual sales of $14 million.
   The acquisition is part of SKF’s stated strategy to expand into the service market by selling mechanical and engineering services, preventive and predictive maintenance, and condition monitoring solutions, in order to provide total life-cycle management of customers’ assets.
   “Erin’s portfolio of products and services enhances the total maintenance service capability that SKF is offering the market,” says Phil Knights, president of SKF Service Division.