100 YEARS OF SKF IN SWITZERLAND

Jochen Diehm, Country Manager SKF Switzerland: “We think of everyone who is directly or indirectly affected by COVID in this difficult time.”

It was in December 1920 when the Swedish SKF Group, located in Gothenburg, opened its subsidiary Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse. From there, the company sold and delivered ball and roller bearings and other machine elements to the Swiss market. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries worldwide and is a leading supplier of solutions around the rotating shaft – including bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring and maintenance services. In Switzerland too, SKF has significantly expanded its business over the past 100 years. For example, in 1987 Jacob AG, a company for linear drives, was acquired. In 2008, the Swiss sales department of Actuation Systems Liestal (formerly Magnetic – a leading manufacturer of electromechanical actuators) was integrated into the sales structure of SKF. Today, SKF has been located in Switzerland for more than three decades in both the office and former warehouse in Schwerzenbach. One year ago, it was renovated, rebuilt and modernised. Today, some 40 employees are working there, mainly national sales and application engineering for the customers. Erik Nelander, President Industrial Sales Europe and Middle East and Africa at SKF Group, said: “Switzerland plays an important part in SKF’s global operations and the 100-year anniversary is testament to the success of both the team there, as well as the customers who have helped shape our business. Over the past 100 years, SKF Switzerland and its employees have earned the confidence of customers due to their technical competence, trust and commitment and I have no doubt this will continue. Many thanks to all involved.” Jochen Diehm, Country Manager at SKF Switzerland, is pleased to be able to celebrate this special event “As we celebrate 100 years of SKF in Switzerland, I would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to all our customers, shareholders and supporters. They were and are an integral part of our success. We’re thankful and look forward to many more years of positive cooperation.” “While there was an official ceremony planned with customers and representatives of local authorities and associations, as a result of the global Pandemic, this could not take place. Instead, we decided to make a donation for the nursing staff and support measures related to the Pandemic in Switzerland. We think of everyone who is directly or indirectly affected by COVID in this difficult time.” The amount of 20.000 CHF was donated to the Swiss professional association of nurses “SBK”. The donation check was handed over by Jochen Diehm. •

SKF Switzerland office in Schwerzenbach.