SKF India (Industrial) Ltd., a leading provider of premium bearing solutions and rotating equipment services, has successfully completed a significant phase of its localization strategy. This milestone reinforces SKF’s role as a key enabler of industrial growth across India and Southeast Asia. Over the past few years, SKF has strategically invested in India and the Southeast Asia region, commissioning advanced manufacturing channels to meet growing local demand and reduce dependency on imports.
Advanced Manufacturing Channels Now Operational
SKF has established state-of-the-art facilities to manufacture:
*Medium Deep-Groove Ball Bearings (DGBBs) above 150 mm OD in Ahmedabad, India
*Medium Spherical Roller Bearings (SRBs) ranging from 180–320 mm OD in Nilai, Malaysia
*UC-Range Ball Bearing Units in Pune, India
These facilities now serve as regional hubs, improving responsiveness and embedding SKF deeper into industrial ecosystems. Each product is manufactured using the same global technology, processes, and quality standards as SKF’s European operations, ensuring customers receive world-class performance closer to where it’s needed most.
Localization: From Intent to Impact
Mukund Vasudevan, President – India and Southeast Asia (ISEA) and Managing Director, SKF India (Industrial), stated, “With new bearing manufacturing channels operational in Ahmedabad, Pune, and Nilai, we’ve moved from intent to impact. Localization is no longer a plan, it’s a reality. These capabilities allow us to align production with customer needs, bring advanced technologies closer to industrial hubs, and unlock efficiencies that drive long-term value.”
The local production of these critical bearings, previously imported, now enables:
*Faster go-to-market
*Shorter lead times
*Stronger supply chain resilience
This benefits high-demand sectors including railways, renewables, infrastructure, metals, cement, food & beverage, mining, and automation.
Expanding Capabilities with Strategic Investment
To capitalize on this momentum, SKF India (Industrial) has announced a new investment of ₹800–950 crore by 2030, including a state-of-the-art facility in Pune planned for 2028. This next phase focuses on:
*Expanding production capacity
*Deepening technology integration
*Advancing sustainability across the value chain
India’s Pivotal Role in SKF’s Global Growth
The strategic importance of the region was reinforced during a recent visit by Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SKF Group, to India. Touring key facilities and engaging with employees, he witnessed firsthand the scale, innovation, and quality driving SKF’s transformation, highlighting India’s pivotal role in SKF’s global growth strategy.
Driving Smarter, Sustainable Manufacturing
SKF India is transforming into a lean, clean, and digital manufacturing company, integrating cutting-edge technology with customer outcomes. Key innovations include:
*AI-enabled inspection systems
*Intelligent lubrication platforms
*Predictive maintenance tools
Remanufacturing driven by circular economy principles
Each manufacturing channel is designed not only to expand capacity but also to embed efficiency, precision, and sustainability into every unit produced, ensuring SKF remains a leader in industrial innovation, reliability, and competitiveness. As per the press release, SKF’s localization strategy and upcoming investment mark a major leap forward. The company is building a resilient, technologically advanced, and sustainable industrial ecosystem in India and Southeast Asia.
