SKF Eyeing Aftermarket
By Byron Pope WardsAuto.com, Aug 7, 2007 4:21 PM

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – SKF USA Inc. is considering dipping its toe into the aftermarket.

The supplier currently is studying the potential for its X-Tracker wheel-hub bearing unit, which could become its first offering in the sector, the supplier’s top executive says.

SKF is flexible enough to produce the X-Tracker in the low volumes needed to meet requirements of the specialty aftermarket, President and CEO George Dettloff adds.

“We have several facilities able to adapt to short-run capacity, which offers that potential for providing products to the specialty equipment market,” he says at the Management Briefing Seminars here.

SKF currently is working with the Specialty Equipment Market Assn. to determine whether there’s demand for the X-Tracker, which is said to improve handling and braking performance. Light-truck owners would be the primary targets.

“Today’s light trucks and SUVs are large, and drivers want to have the driving characteristics of passenger cars,” Dettloff says. “The unique design of the X-Tracker increases its load-bearing capacity and operational life, while improving hub stiffness to provide better handling and steering. It also reduces brake wear and piston knock-back.”

Additionally, the X-Tracker could help eliminate problems caused when truck owners opt for larger tires on their vehicles.

George Dettloff

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“The lift, wheel and tire packages in the aftermarket adversely affect the hub bearing performance, which can continue to reduce braking performance,” Dettloff says. “We envision opportunities to collaborate with lift-kit manufacturers to give drivers a bolder look and a tall truck.”

The X-Tracker is a proven performer, having already been employed by Dodge on its Durango SUV and Dakota pickup.

More recently, SKF worked with General Motors Corp. to develop a version of the wheel-hub bearing unit for the performance-oriented Cadillac STS-V.

“We were able to design and produce this product in a very compressed timeframe, so Cadillac could meet their launch date,” Dettloff says. “We came up with improved durability and more stiffness for superior handling and braking performance.

“The Cadillac STS-V is a low-volume vehicle, which means we had to produce the X-Tracker (for Cadillac) in extremely low volumes.”

There’s been no decision on whether to enter the aftermarket, but Dettloff says the possibility looks promising.

“We’re going to take a strategic approach, build a business case and further analyze our strategy going forward,” he says.

bpope@wardsauto.com