NEWS

SKF today held a Capital Markets Day in Gothenburg, Sweden. The event focused on three main topics: an update on the Group’s strategic progress, manufacturing and digitalisation. Alrik Danielson, President and CEO, discussed the implementation of the strategy that was highlighted at the 2015 Capital Markets Day. In doing so, he addressed three areas in detail: connectivity, modern production technologies and current trends in the development towards electric vehicles. Christian Johansson, CFO, reviewed the Group’s financial performance for 2016 and gave an update on the implementation of SKF’s new ERP system, Unite. Luc Graux, President, Bearing Operations, presented the implementation of world-class manufacturing within SKF, with a particular focus on investments in utilising automation to improve flexibility. As an example of this new production technology, participants were given a tour of the new, fully-automated channel producing spherical roller bearings in Gothenburg. Victoria Van Camp, President, Innovation and Business Development, presented the Group’s activities within innovation and connectivity. She highlighted existing and new business opportunities these bring in terms of application-specific products and services that improve the performance of customers’ rotating equipment. Bernd Stephan, President, Automotive and Aerospace, presented the status of the automotive profit improvement programme and gave an update on recent developments within SKF’s automotive and aerospace businesses.