The aftermarket division of SKF, the company that makes some of the world’s most innovative products and solutions to reduce friction, while also saving energy, is shifting from selling single parts to offering complete repair solutions. These include kits, tools, and training.
Speaking to this publication at the recently concluded at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, Mr. Olaf Henning, President, Global Vehicle Aftermarket, SKF GmbH, said, “The aftermarket has been great for the last 30 years, and the next 30 will be great too.” His reason is that people will always need individual mobility, whether the car runs on an engine, a hybrid system, or a battery. Some parts, like spark plugs, may disappear in a fully electric world. But new areas, like software-defined vehicles and electrification, bring new opportunities. The industry must keep adapting. In the end, he said, the goal is affordable mobility, with a total cost of ownership people can manage.
Kits Are Now the Market
SKF introduced repair kits back in the 1990s. The idea was to give the mechanic everything needed for a proper repair. It took time to change habits. Mechanics had to learn that a kit is better, especially as labour costs rise. Kits also stop a repair from being done twice or thrice because some parts were missed. Mr. Henning said kitting is no longer a trend. It is the market and SKF now sells the entire kit, not single items.
Learning Never Stops
Vehicles have grown more complex. A mechanic can no longer learn once and stop. Mr. Henning said the industry is in a phase of constant learning. A repair today is different from a repair tomorrow. Therefore, SKF has been investing heavily in training material, tutorials, and physical training on the road, in several markets including India. Whether for troubleshooting, service and maintenance, operator training, or basics and theoretical backgrounds for the responsible management, SKF has the right training solution. The company also provides the tools needed for a proper repair and the know-how to use them. A broken bearing is a good example. The mechanic needs the part, the tool to remove it, and the knowledge to do the job. This makes SKF a solution provider, not just a spare parts supplier, he pointed out.
Global Teams, Local Focus
SKF’s aftermarket business already works across five regions. Each has its own local team, infrastructure, supply chain, product management, and sales. The teams stay close to customers and listen to their needs. Mr. Henning said the company is also moving into a new listed company, named SKF Vertevo (the future name of AB SKF’s automotive business as an independent, stand-alone company). In India, SKF has a focused bearing programme today. It has just begun its journey to become a full-programme supplier, as it is in Europe. He said this can only be done together with local teams and customers.
Standard Where Possible, Special Where Needed
Talking on standardisation Mr. Henning said, it is always the aim, but there is a trade-off. Too much standardisation can take up space or cost functionality. The bearing industry is already quite standardised. Some uses still need special designs. An electric motor is a good example. Current can pass through a normal bearing and create electric arcs. These destroy the bearing fast; hence the fix is a ceramic ball instead of a steel ball. It blocks the current and also reduces friction, he explained.
Why Independent aftermarket Keep Growing
The independent aftermarket has outpaced OEM service networks for decades. Mr. Henning gave two main reasons. The first is an ageing car park. An older car has less resale value, and owners will not spend a large sum on repairs. Independent workshops offer more affordable options. The second is distance. Owners do not want to travel to a big city for maintenance. OEM networks often focus on large cities. An independent workshop nearby is the easier choice, he added.