SKF Acquires U.S. Linear Motion Company


GOTEBORG, Sweden, Jan. 10, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- SKF (Nasdaq:SKFR) (LSE:SKFB) has acquired Twentieth Century Machine Co., TCM, a U.S. manufacturer of ground ball screws. The acquisition was effective December 31, 2002.

TCM has 70 employees and sales in 2002 were 65 MSEK. TCM, is located in the Detroit area in Michigan, USA and serves primarily the machine tool market in USA and Canada. SKF will now be able to offer complete ground ball screw packages and solutions locally made in North America.

"TCM will become part of and strengthen the SKF Linear Motion & Precision Technologies business unit," said Christer Gyberg, President of SKF Industrial Division. "In addition to design and manufacturing expertise, TCM also offers multi-brand ball screw repair, which enhances our recently launched full-service capabilities."

With this acquisition, SKF expands the number of ball-screw manufacturing facilities to four: Turin, Italy; Chambery, France; Beaufort, France; and Detroit in the United States. The acquisition reflects the SKF Group's strategy to grow through acquisitions and expand businesses with higher value added.

Aktiebolaget SKF (publ.)


 For further information, please contact:

 Lars G. Malmer
 SKF Group Communication
 tel. +46 (0)31 337 1541
 e-mail: Lars.G.Malmer@skf.com

 Poul Jeppesen
 SKF Linear Motion & Precision Technologies
 1530 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA 18017-2266
 Phone: 610-861-3707 or Poul.Jeppesen@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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