SKF’s integrated triple-action solution drives operational value for customer in Cameroon
July 2025
Motion Control & Drives
SKF has successfully delivered a powerful integrated solution to a leading metals industry customer in Cameroon, combining advanced condition monitoring (CoMo) and high-performance bearings, underpinned by professional, expert services.
Prior to implementing SKF’s holistic solution, the customer had been operating in a conventional, reactive maintenance mode. Subsequently, equipment such as fans and rolling mills were routinely run to failure, with premature failure a common occurrence. This would result in unplanned downtime and the need for systematic bearing replacements. Predictive maintenance practices were absent, with only global vibration measurement conducted, while static balancing was outsourced to third-party test benches. Additionally, over-greasing of critical assets was a recurring issue further compromising equipment performance, reliability and lifecycle- driving up costs and driving down production.
Following an assessment, SKF responded to these challenges by recommending an integrated approach that combines CoMo, bearings and service expertise to target operational gaps effectively. “This solution was designed not only to prevent premature failures but also to enable predictive maintenance, reduce over-greasing incidents and bring critical balancing processes in-house,” says Lionel Ndjee, SKF sales engineer for Central Africa. In addition to vibration analysis, balancing and alignment services, we also provided our customer with lubrication assistance. Furthermore, we organised a technical session, supported remotely by our team of metals industry experts, to better understand the customer’s challenges and tailor the most effective solution for their operations.”
This triple-impact approach is a collaboration between the local SKF team and their authorised distributor, Transmissions Manutention du Cameroun. The customer was able to take advantage of the distributor’s ‘duty free company in Cameroon’ status by delivering the goods ex works. This has boosted the customer’s operational efficiency and reliability. It is also delivering measurable cost savings and sustainability benefits such as extended service life of equipment, demonstrating the value of a holistic strategy that is tailored to meet the customer’s exact demands.
This successful collaboration underscores SKF’s ability to deliver not just individual components, but also fully integrated solutions that drive real operational value. “Our joint efforts have also earned the customer’s trust, resulting in a new agreement to source bearings through our distributor in future,” says Ndjee. “By combining deep application knowledge with cutting-edge technologies and service expertise, SKF continues to help customers reduce costs and improve asset performance, leading to more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Further reading:
Premium slewing rings from SKF
SKF South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
SKF’s slewing bearing portfolio spans standard and customised designs across a wide range of types and sizes, backed by advanced monitoring, remanufacturing services and application engineering expertise for demanding industrial applications.
Read more...
World’s first fully electric hydrogen fuel cell aircraft engine
Motion Control & Drives
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines are establishing a joint venture to industrialise hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for commercial aviation, combining liquid hydrogen expertise with fuel cell development to support the ZEROe programme’s 2035 target.
Read more...
Monopile handling innovations boost offshore wind farm
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet’s XXL monopile transport system and new MTC 1600 terminal crane are helping offshore wind developers safely marshal and install ever larger monopile foundations, as demonstrated on Van Oord’s Baltic Power project.
Read more...
Automation without the mega factory
Yaskawa Southern Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Mid-sized South African manufacturers are turning to targeted, low-risk automation to solve specific bottlenecks rather than chasing full factory transformation, helped by retrofit-friendly robotics and advanced simulation software.
Read more...
Duplex worm gears for precision backlash adjustment
Motion Control & Drives
KHK USA has introduced duplex worm gears that allow precise backlash adjustment through simple axial movement of the worm shaft, eliminating the need for gearbox housing alterations during assembly or maintenance.
Read more...
Choosing the right level of protection in modern automation
Motion Control & Drives
Choosing the right ingress protection rating for a motor or drive is less about maximising the number, and more about understanding what the machine will actually face in operation.
Read more...
Osterwalder launches multi-plate, fully electric powder press
Motion Control & Drives
Osterwalder Technology has launched the MPneo 480, a 480 kN fully electric multi-plate powder press with up to six cross-pressing modules. Designed for hard metals, ceramics and advanced engineered materials, the press supports complex geometries and offers optional
Read more...
Ground helical racks for superior precision and durability
Motion Control & Drives
KHK USA has announced its ground helical rack series, engineered for smooth operation, high torque transmission and long-lasting performance in precision motion systems. The racks are designed for demanding environments such as machine tools, high-speed automation equipment and precision positioning systems.
Read more...
SpinDrive launches Magma X100 active magnetic bearing controller
Motion Control & Drives
SpinDrive has launched the Magma X100, a new active magnetic bearing controller platform for applications up to 150 kW. The platform brings oil-free, frictionless bearing technology to mobile machinery, semiconductor equipment and other high-speed rotating equipment at a cost comparable to conventional bearing solutions.
Read more...
Sealed split spherical roller bearings deliver rapid installation and reduced downtime
SKF South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
SKF Cooper sealed split spherical roller bearings combine a split design with premium engineering to enable rapid installation and simplified maintenance, reducing mean time to repair by up to 70% and keeping operations running in sectors from mining to food and beverage.
Read more...