Equipment from Shuttered Ball Bearing Factory to be Auctioned

Specialized machinery is being put up for auction from a ball bearing manufacturing plant that ceased operations after a century of service. SKF commenced production in Luton in 1911 under the name Skefko Ball Bearing Company, representing the firm’s inaugural location outside Sweden. The final ball bearing was produced on 23 October, one year after the factory’s closure was confirmed, resulting in the elimination of 300 positions. Now, hundreds of items, including specialized apparatus and “pick and place robots,” will be sold by Surplex, a company specializing in used machinery auctions. Prospective buyers seeking a “vibratory finishing machine” or “air compressors” are invited to place bids until 19 November. More conventional factory floor equipment, such as lathes, forklifts, and machining centres, is also available for purchase. SKF, which previously sponsored Luton Town FC’s shirts, had earlier stated that the closure was part of its strategy to consolidate manufacturing “to secure the long-term competitiveness on the European markets.” When the facility closed in October, SKF UK managing director Ian Peverill remarked: “It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to our dedicated colleagues. “This day is particularly poignant as we reflect on the generations of families who have contributed to the success of SKF Luton.”” Parent company AB SKF describes itself as “a global leader” in “roller bearings, seals, lubrication and mechatronics.” Surplex communicated: “Interested parties can view the machines by appointment on 13 and 14 November in Luton.” News for Beds, Herts, and Bucks can be followed on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC assumes no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.