Founded in 1907 in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company originally began as a producer of ball bearings, which are precision components designed to reduce friction and support rotating machinery. SKF’s name comes from the Swedish phrase “Svenska Kullagerfabriken,” meaning “Swedish Ball Bearing Factory.” Over more than a century, the company has expanded into a global industrial technology group serving manufacturers and infrastructure sectors worldwide.

SKF became internationally recognized after Swedish engineer Sven Wingquist invented the self-aligning ball bearing in the early 20th century. This innovation solved major mechanical problems caused by shaft misalignment and quickly transformed industrial machinery performance. The invention was so successful that SKF rapidly expanded across Europe and beyond, becoming one of the most influential engineering companies in the bearing industry.

Today, SKF manufactures a wide range of industrial products, including ball bearings, roller bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring equipment, and rotating shaft technologies. Its products are used in automobiles, trains, aircraft, wind turbines, factories, robotics, mining equipment, and energy infrastructure. Because bearings are essential to almost every moving machine, SKF plays a critical role in global manufacturing and transportation systems.

The company operates in more than 130 countries and maintains factories, research centers, and distribution networks worldwide. SKF is also known for investing heavily in sustainability and advanced engineering technologies, including smart monitoring systems that help industries reduce energy consumption and machine failures. As one of Sweden’s most important industrial firms, SKF remains a major symbol of Scandinavian engineering and manufacturing expertise.

According to the Internet