SKF celebrates a century of enterprise

Wardown Park Museum, Luton

It highlights significant aspects of SKF’s (previously known as Skefko Ball Bearing Company Limited) history and its development throughout the decades of the 20th century as well as capturing the company’s social life including sports, recreation and the community involvement of its employees.

At the show you will be able to see a fascinating array of photographs showing the buildings, products and the many employees at work and socialising.

As well as the firm lending its wonderful collection of memorabilia, trophies and products to the museum, people have been adding their own mementos.

Skefko Ball Bearing Company Limited came to the UK in February 1910 and in June 1911 the first purpose-built production plant outside Sweden opened in Leagrave Road, Luton with 150 employees.

The commercial offices moved from London to Luton a year later.

After the first year of being established, they produced on average 180 bearings a day.

Production increased to meet the demand for bearings during the First World War and by 1918 the factory employed 775 people and produced 24,000 bearings a month.