a.SKF, Rautaruukki and Wärtsilä have received European Commission approval to merge long steel businesses

AB SKF, Rautaruukki Corporation and Wärtsilä Corporation have received European Commission approval to combine long steel businesses into a jointly owned new company. The transaction is expected to close by mid-May 2005.

b. SKF gains order for railway axleboxes for new generation of freight cars

SKF has received an order for 14 000 axleboxes and compact TBU's - tapered bearing units - for a new generation of freight cars from AAE Ahaus Alstätter Eisenbahn AG. AAE is the European market leader in the rental of standard freight cars for combined and conventional rail freight. The order includes a service package based on bearing inspection and overhaul.

For many years the trend in the railway industry has been to carry higher loads at faster speeds. Today most railway freight cars in Europe are built to run with axle loads of 25 tonnes. SKF has developed a new Y25 axlebox concept, which is equipped with compact tapered bearing units. This design offers opportunities to achieve lower life cycle cost through longer maintenance intervals, simplified maintenance operations and to improve the performance and safety.

This solution has gained interest from several European freight car operators and suppliers.

SKF is the leading rolling bearing supplier to the world railway industry, providing a full assortment of products and services for all types of railway vehicles such as high speed vehicles, locomotives, multiple units, coaches, mass transit vehicles and freight cars.


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