How a Swedish bearing factory accidentally birthed Volvo and fueled a global war

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1907 to solve industrial machine failures, SKF grew from a local Gothenburg startup into the world's largest bearing manufacturer. Its history is a complex tapestry of engineering breakthroughs, corporate strategy, and controversial wartime supply chains that allegedly extended the duration of the Second World War by two years.

The company originated from the ingenuity of Sven Wingquist, a plant engineer who grew frustrated with frequent production stops caused by misaligned shafts in Gothenburg’s clay-based factories. In 1907, he patented a self-aligning ball bearing that allowed inner and outer rings to move independently. This innovation, combined with the managerial acumen of co-founder Axel Carlander, transformed a small Swedish venture into a global powerhouse. By 1930, the firm operated 12 factories worldwide, employing 21,000 people.

SKF’s influence extended well beyond bearings. In 1926, company executives Assar Gabrielsson and Björn Prytz founded Volvo as an internal project to showcase their bearings in automobiles. The name 'Volvo'—Latin for 'I roll'—was a direct nod to the company’s core product. While SKF eventually divested its stake in 1935, the collaboration cemented the firm's role as a cornerstone of Swedish industrial development.

The company's legacy is also marked by significant controversy during the Second World War. As a multinational with a European monopoly on ball-bearing production, SKF supplied both the Allies and Nazi Germany. Despite promises to cease exports in 1944, the company continued to provide steel and machinery to Hitler’s regime, sometimes through clandestine channels. Some estimates suggest these supplies prolonged the conflict by two years, highlighting the immense strategic power held by a single industrial entity.

Today, SKF remains a leader in precision engineering, managing 150 companies and serving clients from Ferrari to Rolls-Royce. Its evolution from a local solution for misaligned machinery to a global entity certified under international standards reflects the broader history of 20th-century industrialization. The firm continues to integrate advanced management methodologies like Six Sigma and Kaizen, maintaining its position at the intersection of global trade and technical innovation.

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