SKF India secures 303 million euro long-term contract from Suzlon

Bearings and automobile technology company SKF India Ltd has announced a strategic alliance with Suzlon Energy for the supply of main shaft bearings and slewing bearings for Suzlon's wind turbines.

The agreement covers an initial period of five years with a total contract value of 303 million euros over the period, SKF said in a release.

The bearings will mainly be supplied from SKF's large size bearing facility in India which is expected to start commercial supplies from October 2009. In the interim period, supplies will be made from SKF overseas manufacturing facilities. The contract will support Suzlon's expansion plan and position SKF as Suzlon's strategic partner for growth. 

SKF will also supply automatic lubrication kit, which allows turbine owners and wind park operators to ensure that all critical lubrication points receive the right amount of lubricant at the right time and that no lubrication point is missed. This avoids need for human inspection and point-to-point re-greasing action by maintenance personnel. This means more electricity generated, less maintenance cost, less spare parts used and fewer lubricants consumed, the company said.

''This is an important agreement for SKF as it positions us strongly in the energy industry and in the large size bearings segment. Suzlon is an established name in Wind energy sector and SKF is very happy to be working with Suzlon,'' the release said.

SKF India, a key player in India's automobile sector,  reported a turnover of around $410 million in FY 2007,

Its customers includes Hero Honda, Toyota, Volvo, Tafe in the automobile sector and ABB, Ttata Steel, Voltas and Caterpillar in the industrial sector.

SKF India, with 2600 employees, meets environmental standards of ISO14001 certification and has also received the Dun & Bradstreet Express Corporate award in the bearing sector.