SKF signs contracts to supply rod assemblies and titanium bearings for Bombardier’s new CSeries aircraft

SKF and Bombardier Aerospace have entered into a long-term contract for SKF to supply over 40 different rod assemblies and titanium bearings for Bombardier’s all new CSeries* aircraft.

The CSeries aircraft, which is optimized for the single-aisle 100 to 149 market will enter service in 2013.

The contract covers rods for flight control systems, door rods, and hydraulic rack and landing gear bearings.

The rods and bearings will be manufactured at SKF Aerospace’s North American and European factories. Initial deliveries will be taking place later this year.

Rod assemblies are engineered tubular components requiring design cooperation from both parties from an early stage in the aircraft design. These rods require different strength-to-weight ratios for each application. A key factor is the choice of material, with selection being made from a number of possible variants composed of metallic or composite materials. The rods provide basic functionality in some applications, and are used in flight critical locations in others. At all times, respect for the environment dictates the choice of materials and manufacturing processes.

SKF Aerospace is a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of rods and flight control assemblies as well as other aircraft products; it has also been a partner toBombardier Aerospace on a number of other aircraft programs since the 80s.

* CSeries is a trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Gothenburg, 23 June 2011

Aktiebolaget SKF
(publ)

For further information, please contact:
PRESS: Ingalill Östman, SKF Group Communication, tel: +46 31-337 3260, mobile: +46 706-973260, e-mail: ingalill.ostman@skf.com
IR: Marita Björk, SKF Investor Relations, tel: +46 31-337 1994, mobile: +46 705-181994, e-mail: marita.bjork@skf.com

SKF is a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems, and services which include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting and training. SKF is represented in more than 130 countries and has 15,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2010 were SEK 61,029 million and the number of employees was 44,742. www.skf.com