SKF, the Swedish industrial technology company, will present a range of new products and solutions at its 2025 Tech and Innovation Summit on 18 September. The virtual event will focus on reducing industrial downtime, improving operational efficiency, and enabling data-driven decision-making.
The announcement follows the recent visit of Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SKF, to India, where he toured the company’s facilities in Pune and Ahmedabad and reviewed progress on a new industrial factory in Pune. Gustafson also met with the company’s India and Southeast Asia leadership team and the Chief Minister of Gujarat to discuss strategic growth plans. His visit concluded with a town hall session alongside Mukund Vasudevan, President, Industrial Region – India & Southeast Asia, where they shared their outlook for the business in the region.
At the upcoming summit, SKF will highlight compact integration solutions, digital twin technologies for performance simulation, and tools that convert machine data into enterprise insights. “In a competitive landscape, staying ahead means turning insight into action,” said Gustafson. “The technologies we’re presenting reflect our commitment to solving real operational challenges such as reducing downtime, improving efficiency, and enabling smarter decisions.”
More than 90 percent of SKF’s research and development investment is directed toward industrial segments such as machine tools, railways, metals, mining, industrial electrical, agriculture, and food and beverage. “We’re working closely with customers to co-develop solutions that are easier to implement, more reliable in operation, and better aligned with their business goals,” said Annika Ölme, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Technology Development.
Specific technologies to be demonstrated include the Agri Hub T400 for large-scale farming operations, featuring SKF’s patented Mudblock seal technology; a low-friction Tapered Bearing Unit (TBU) for railways that has shown up to 14 percent energy savings in pilot applications; and SKF Food Line ball bearing units designed to eliminate the need for relubrication in food processing environments.
Other innovations include the SKF Observer PI Connector, developed with AVEVA, for integrating vibration and process data into AVEVA’s PI System; the SDVD Housing for conveyor pulleys in mining applications, developed for harsh operating conditions; and the SKF Seals Digital Twin, which simulates seal behaviour under dynamic conditions to predict friction and heat generation.
The live broadcast will be available at different times to accommodate global participants: 10:00 AM CET for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; 10:00 AM IST for India and Southeast Asia; 9:00 AM Pacific Time and 12:00 PM Eastern Time for the Americas; and 12:00 PM CST on 19 September for China and Northeast Asia. A recorded version will also be available on demand.
Founded in 1907, SKF manufactures bearings, seals, lubrication systems, and condition monitoring solutions. The company operates in around 130 countries through approximately 17,000 distributor locations. In 2024, SKF reported annual sales of SEK 98,722 million and employed 38,743 people worldwide.
