INDIA – In a major push for “Make in India,” SKF India (Industrial) Ltd. a leading bearing manufacturer has announced an ambitious investment of ₹800-950 crore to be deployed by 2030 to significantly expand its local manufacturing capabilities. This comes on the heels of the company successfully commissioning new production lines for specialized bearings in Ahmedabad and Pune.
The strategic expansion is designed to reduce import dependency, cut lead times, and better serve key industrial sectors with locally produced, high-quality bearings.
From Intent to Impact: New Facilities Go Live
The company has already operationalized the first phase of its localization strategy, commissioning new manufacturing channels for:
- Ahmedabad: Production of medium deep-groove ball bearings (DGBBs) with an outer diameter above 150 mm.
- Pune: Production of UC-range ball bearing units.
- Nilai, Malaysia: A new line for medium spherical roller bearings (SRBs) to serve the Southeast Asian market.
These facilities adhere to the same global technology and quality standards as SKF’s European plants, ensuring world-class products for customers in sectors like railways, renewables, metals, and cement.
A Long-Term Commitment to the Indian Market
The planned investment of up to ₹950 crore will fund a new state-of-the-art facility in Pune slated for completion by 2028. This underscores the strategic importance of the Indian market within the SKF Group’s global operations.
“With new bearing manufacturing channels now operational… we’ve moved from intent to impact,” said Mukund Vasudevan, President for India & Southeast Asia at SKF. He added that this allows the company to align production with customer needs and bring advanced technologies closer to industrial hubs.
The commitment was further highlighted by a recent visit from Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SKF Group, who toured Indian facilities reinforcing the country’s role in the company’s worldwide growth strategy.
Integrating Technology and Sustainability
The expansion is not just about capacity. SKF is integrating advanced technologies like AI-enabled inspection systems and predictive maintenance tools into its new lines. The company is also championing circular economy principles through remanufacturing initiatives, embedding both efficiency and sustainability into its core manufacturing processes.