OEMS, Technology

SKF’s people powering success in the mining industry

For decades, SKF has been a driving force in the mining industry, as a world leader in bearings and related technologies. But what truly sets it apart is its commitment to its people and its forward-thinking vision, including its embrace of diversity and inclusion.

SKF’s new purpose statement, “Together, we re-imagine rotation for a better tomorrow by creating intelligent and clean solutions for people and the planet,” reflects its commitment to shaping a brighter future.

The statement emphasises collaboration with colleagues, customers, distributors, partners and suppliers, as well as continuous innovation and circularity in the company’s solutions and processes, demonstrating SKF’s dedication to its environmental and social impact.

SKF’s dynamic and diverse workforce includes standout examples like Simon Flint, a UK native and managing director at SKF Australia in the Greater Perth area, and national industrial sales manager Raul Vernal, hailing from South America. They shared their insights on SKF’s vision, their crucial role in the mining industry, and how SKF supports its people.

With a truly global reach, SKF highly values the unique perspectives and experiences of its employees.

“We have 34 different nationalities in our organisation in Australia, and a lot of the talent that we have is coming from different parts of the world,” Flint said.

“By embracing diversity, we leverage them to drive innovation, better understand customers, and cultivate a positive work environment.”

Vernal emphasised the importance of gender diversity for the company.

“We have a big push on increasing the representation of women within the organisation, which is one of the key strategies that we are implementing across Australia,” he said.

Both Vernal and Flint discussed SKF’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.

“As a world leader in bearings and related technologies, SKF recognises the importance of reducing its carbon footprint and embracing a circular economy,” they said.

Vernal spoke about how SKF’s long history of asset optimisation and efficiency, combined with its focus on energy reduction and now carbon footprint, demonstrates “our willingness to help customers move towards a circular economy by providing products and solutions, condition monitoring, rotation as a service, and remanufacturing services.

“Wherever there is rotation, there is a good chance that SKF products, capabilities and skilled colleagues are providing value in the form of improved operational performance and reduced emissions.”

From this statement, it’s clear that SKF is not only committed to supporting its valued customers (the mining industry) but also doing so in a way that is environmentally conscious and sustainable for the long term.

“Typical services that are becoming central to this goal include SKF’s bearing remanufacturing at our Perth facility, which offers a whole new life for high-value bearings,” Flint said.

Flint said that SKF introduced the idea of remanufacturing bearings to work closely with customers and shift their perspective from using bearings until they fail.

On average, most bearings are discarded after only 30 per cent of their theoretical design life. The Perth facility’s bearings undergo a rigorous process of stripping, disassembling, inspection, and reassembly with a genuine SKF warranty, making them as good as new.

The cost savings and environmental benefits of the remanufacturing process are also highlighted by Flint and Vernal. By remanufacturing a bearing, customers can reduce their carbon footprint and save money.

SKF is constantly transforming itself to keep up with the fast-paced changes in the industry and has a renewed leadership team focused on revitalising SKF’s position in the market.

The diverse and dynamic workforce at SKF, as exemplified by Flint and Vernal, highlight the connection between a sense of purpose and the confidence required to sustain a successful business.

SKF’s success in the mining industry is attributed not only to its innovative products and solutions but also its dedication to its workforce and vision for the future.

The company’s commitment to its people’s personal growth and career enrichment, as well as its focus on diversity and inclusion, has allowed it to build a dynamic and diverse workforce that drives its continued growth and prosperity.

To find out more, visit the SKF website.

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