SKF and Metso Corporation signed two-year contract worth 350 million SEK


GOTEBORG, Sweden, Oct. 09, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- SKF (Nasdaq:SKFR) and Metso Corporation (NYSE:MX) have signed a two-year agreement regarding supplies of SKF products and competence to Metso Paper, Metso Minerals and Metso Drives globally. The value of the contract is around 350 million SEK for the 2-year period.

Metso is one of the top customers for the SKF Industrial Division. Most of the SKF business with Metso today is in Europe, although the equipment is exported and installed worldwide. Further globalisation of the business is expected.

The agreement includes the supply of a large number of different SKF products, including CARB(R) bearings and other bearings of the SKF Explorer standard and the provision of technical support. The largest bearing has an outer diameter of 1.3 m and the smallest only 22 mm. The products are used in all types of Metso machines, ranging from paper machines to rock crushers to wind turbine gearboxes.

"This agreement broadens our co-operation with SKF and makes it truly global," said Mr. Pekka Honkanen, Senior Vice President of Metso Paper. It covers product deliveries and engineering co-operation in all our main business areas.

The new agreement is a continuation of a partnership, which has been built up over many years and confirms SKF's position as the main supplier of bearings and related products and services to the Metso Corporation.


For further information, please contact: 
PRESS: Lars G Malmer, SKF Group Communication
tel. +46 (0)31 337 1541
e-mail: Lars.G.Malmer@skf.com 

IR: Marita Bjork, SKF Investor Relations
tel. +46 (0)31 3371994
e-mail: Marita.Bjork@skf.com

Aktiebolaget SKF, SE-415 50 Goteborg, Sweden
tel. +46 (0)31 337 1000
fax +46 (0)31 337 2832
www.skf.com

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http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/09/20031009BIT00370/wkr0001.doc

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/09/20031009BIT00370/wkr0002.pdf


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