Swedish bearing manufacturer to present data-driven technologies and digital twin solutions at virtual event
08 Sep 2025 | 2427 Views | By Shristi Ohri
SKF, the Swedish industrial technology company, will showcase new products and technologies aimed at reducing industrial downtime and improving operational efficiency at its 2025 Tech and Innovation Summit on September 18. The virtual event, themed "From Insight to Impact," will focus on translating customer insights into practical industrial solutions.
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SKF, the Swedish industrial technology company, will showcase new products and technologies aimed at reducing industrial downtime and improving operational efficiency at its 2025 Tech and Innovation Summit on September 18. The virtual event, themed "From Insight to Impact," will focus on translating customer insights into practical industrial solutions.
The company plans to present compact integration solutions, digital twin technologies for performance simulation, and data-driven tools designed to convert machine data into enterprise decision-making insights.
"In a competitive landscape, staying ahead means turning insight into action," said Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SKF. "The technologies we're presenting reflect our commitment to solving real operational challenges such as reducing downtime, improving efficiency, and enabling smarter decisions."
SKF has concentrated more than 90% of its research and development efforts on specific industrial segments including machine tools, railways, metals, mining, industrial electrical, agriculture, and food and beverage sectors. This targeted approach represents part of the company's strategy to build what it describes as "two focused, world-leading businesses."
Annika Ölme, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Technology Development, emphasized the company's collaborative approach with customers. "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," she stated.
The summit will feature several specific innovations across multiple industrial sectors. For agricultural applications, SKF will present the Agri Hub T400 for tillage equipment, designed for large-scale farming operations and featuring the company's patented Mudblock seal technology. The company claims this delivers up to four times better performance in contaminated environments compared to standard agricultural hubs.
In railway applications, SKF's new low-friction Tapered Bearing Unit (TBU) has demonstrated up to 14% energy savings in pilot applications. The technology includes a digital twin component that replicates bearing energy losses for virtual testing within vehicle simulations. For the food processing sector, the SKF Food Line ball bearing units eliminate the need for relubrication, which the company says reduces contamination risks and extends bearing life while supporting food safety standards.
The company will also showcase data integration capabilities through the SKF Observer PI Connector, developed in partnership with AVEVA, which enables integration of vibration and process data into AVEVA's PI System for centralized monitoring and analysis. Mining operations will be addressed through the SDVD Housing for conveyor pulleys, originally developed for Australian mining conditions and offering compact installation with advanced sealing for harsh environments.
Additionally, SKF will demonstrate simulation technology through the SKF Seals Digital Twin, which simulates seal behavior under dynamic conditions, predicting friction and heat generation to support design optimization and troubleshooting.
The Tech and Innovation Summit will be broadcast live on September 18 at multiple times to accommodate global audiences. European, Middle Eastern, and African participants can join at 10:00 AM CET, while the same time slot of 10:00 AM IST will serve India and Southeast Asia. The Americas will have access at 9:00 AM Pacific Time or 12:00 PM Eastern Time. China and Northeast Asia will have a dedicated session on September 19 at 12:00 PM CST. A recorded version will be available for on-demand viewing following the live broadcast.
Founded in 1907, SKF manufactures bearings, seals, lubrication systems, and condition monitoring solutions. The company operates in approximately 130 countries with around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. SKF reported annual sales of SEK 98,722 million in 2024 and employs 38,743 people globally.
The virtual summit represents part of SKF's broader strategy to demonstrate how industrial technology companies are adapting their innovation approaches to address specific customer operational challenges rather than developing generalized solutions.