SKF Group Bundle

Who Owns SKF Group?
Understanding a company's ownership is key to its direction. SKF Group, founded in 1907 by Sven Wingquist, revolutionized industry with the self-aligning ball bearing.

SKF Group is a global leader in components and services for rotating equipment, impacting sectors from automotive to aerospace. In 2024, SKF reported net revenue of SEK 98.72 billion, with a 12.3% adjusted operating margin.
Who owns SKF Group today?
SKF Group's ownership is primarily distributed among institutional investors, with a smaller percentage held by individual shareholders. Key institutional holders include investment management firms and pension funds, reflecting a broad base of stakeholders. The company's shares are publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange, allowing for widespread ownership. This structure ensures a diverse group of entities have a vested interest in the company's performance and strategic decisions. The company's product portfolio includes a wide range of solutions, such as those analyzed in the SKF Group Porter's Five Forces Analysis, which are critical for industrial efficiency.
Who Founded SKF Group?
The foundation of SKF Group was laid on February 16, 1907, by Sven Wingquist, a maintenance engineer. His groundbreaking self-aligning ball bearing was the core innovation that propelled the company, initially named Svenska Kullagerfabriken, or 'Swedish Ball Bearing Factory,' into existence.
Sven Wingquist, a maintenance engineer, is recognized as the founder of SKF Group. His invention of the self-aligning ball bearing was central to the company's initial success.
The initial funding for Svenska Kullagerfabriken came from the owners of the Gamlestadens Textile Mill. This provided the crucial capital for Wingquist's venture.
SKF Group began as a subsidiary of the Gamlestadens Textile Industry. Sven Wingquist served as managing director, with Axel Carlander as CEO until 1937.
Wingquist actively pursued international growth, establishing sales offices and subsidiaries. The first factory outside Sweden opened in Luton, England, in 1911.
The early 20th century's rapid industrialization in Sweden created a strong demand for SKF's bearings. This environment facilitated the company's establishment and expansion.
While precise early shareholding percentages are not detailed, the owners of Gamlestadens Textile Mill held a significant initial stake. This indicates their substantial support for the venture.
The early ownership structure of SKF Group was closely tied to its founding and initial funding. Sven Wingquist, the inventor and driving force behind the self-aligning ball bearing, was the visionary founder. The financial backing that allowed the company to launch and grow came from the proprietors of the Gamlestadens Textile Mill, who saw the potential in Wingquist's innovation. This close relationship meant that the textile mill owners were the primary stakeholders in the nascent SKF Group, effectively making them the initial owners. While specific equity details from that period are not widely published, the strategic importance of Wingquist's invention and the financial commitment from the textile mill owners suggest a strong initial investment and control by this group. This early backing was instrumental in SKF's ability to establish its operations and begin its global expansion, aligning with the broader trends of industrial growth in Sweden at the time. Understanding this foundational ownership is key to tracing the company's trajectory and its eventual evolution into a global industrial leader, a journey detailed further in articles like Mission, Vision & Core Values of SKF Group.
The initial ownership of SKF Group was characterized by the direct involvement of its founder and its primary financial backers.
- Founder: Sven Wingquist, the inventor of the self-aligning ball bearing.
- Initial Funding Source: Owners of the Gamlestadens Textile Mill.
- Early Corporate Structure: A subsidiary of Gamlestadens Textile Industry.
- Key Leadership: Sven Wingquist as managing director and Axel Carlander as CEO.
- Implied Stakeholders: The owners of the Gamlestadens Textile Mill held significant initial ownership.
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How Has SKF Group’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
SKF AB's journey as a publicly traded entity began with its listing on Nasdaq Nordic in 1914, establishing a long history of public ownership. The company's American Depository Receipts (ADR) are also available for trading in the USA, indicating a global investor base. This long-standing presence on major stock exchanges highlights its evolution as a significant industrial player.
Share Class | Votes per Share | Number of Shares Outstanding (as of Nov 29, 2024) |
---|---|---|
Series A | 1 | 29,218,846 |
Series B | 0.1 | 426,132,222 |
The ownership structure of SKF Group is characterized by a dual-class share system, which significantly influences voting power. As of March 31, 2025, FAM AB, a key entity within the Wallenberg sphere, holds the largest stake, representing 15.0% of the company's capital and a substantial 29.1% of the total votes. This concentration of voting power underscores the influence of long-term strategic investors. The company's overall share capital stood at SEK 1,138,377,670 as of May 31, 2024, with a total of 455,351,068 shares outstanding.
Beyond FAM AB, SKF Group's ownership is diversified among several prominent institutional investors. These entities play a vital role in the company's governance and strategic direction.
- FAM AB: 15.0% of capital, 29.1% of votes (as of March 31, 2025)
- Cevian Capital AB: 7.93% of capital (as of December 30, 2024)
- BlackRock, Inc.: 3.07% of capital (as of December 30, 2024)
- Harris Associates L.P.: 3.01% of capital (as of December 30, 2024)
- The Vanguard Group, Inc.: 3.00% of capital (as of December 30, 2024)
SKF's financial strategy is geared towards delivering value to its shareholders, with an objective to achieve a return on investment that surpasses the risk-free interest rate by approximately 5% to 6% over the long term. This focus on shareholder returns is a core tenet of its operational and strategic planning, influencing decisions across the organization. Understanding who owns SKF is crucial for grasping its strategic direction and commitment to long-term value creation, as detailed in the Growth Strategy of SKF Group.
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Who Sits on SKF Group’s Board?
The Board of Directors at SKF is tasked with the company's organization and oversight of its management, with all members being elected annually. As of 2024, the Board consists of a Chair, Vice Chair, President and CEO, and several other members, including employee representatives. Mats Rahmström joined as Vice Chair in 2025, adding to the leadership structure.
Director Name | Role |
---|---|
Hans Stråberg | Chair |
Håkan Buskhe | Vice Chair |
Rickard Gustafson | President and CEO |
Hock Goh | Member |
Geert Follens | Member |
Susanna Schneeberger | Member |
Beth Ferreira | Member |
Therese Friberg | Member |
Richard Nilsson | Member |
Niko Pakalén | Member |
Mats Rahmström | Vice Chair (joined 2025) |
Jonny Hilbert | Employee Representative |
Zarko Djurovic | Employee Representative |
Thomas Eliasson | Employee Representative |
SKF's voting power is structured around a dual-class share system, where Series A shares carry more voting weight than Series B shares. This means that holders of Series A shares can have a disproportionately large influence on company decisions. For example, as of March 31, 2025, FAM AB, despite owning 15.0% of the capital, controlled 29.1% of the total votes. The total number of votes stood at 71,879,846.5 as of May 31, 2024, highlighting the impact of this voting structure on SKF Group ownership and control.
The ownership structure of SKF is influenced by its dual-class share system, impacting voting power significantly. Understanding who owns SKF is key to grasping its governance.
- Series A shares have higher voting power than Series B shares.
- FAM AB holds a substantial portion of voting power relative to its capital ownership.
- The total number of votes is a critical metric for assessing control.
- This structure is important for anyone researching SKF shareholders and SKF Group ownership percentage by institution.
- For more insights, explore the Target Market of SKF Group.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped SKF Group’s Ownership Landscape?
In recent years, the company has navigated significant strategic shifts and evolving ownership trends. These developments aim to enhance its market position and capitalize on future growth opportunities.
Financial Year | Net Revenue (SEK billion) | Adjusted Operating Margin (%) | R&D Investment (SEK billion) |
2024 | 98.72 | 12.3 | 3.33 |
A pivotal strategic decision was announced in March 2025: the initiation of a separation of the Automotive business, with plans for a separate listing on Nasdaq Stockholm in the first half of 2026. This move is intended to unlock value and allow both the core business and the automotive segment to pursue their distinct growth trajectories.
As of May 31, 2024, conversions of Series A to Series B shares occurred, impacting the total voting rights. The company does not hold treasury shares, indicating a focus on external ownership.
In July 2024, the Senior Vice President and CFO announced his departure by January 2025, prompting a search for a successor to lead the financial strategy.
Institutional ownership remains a significant factor, with major players like BlackRock, Harris Associates, and Vanguard Group holding substantial stakes as of December 30, 2024, reflecting confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
SKF India's promoter holding was stable at 52.58% as of June 2025, while mutual fund holdings saw a decrease to 23.33%, and Indian public holdings rose to 10.00% in the same period. This subsidiary also plans substantial investments to enhance manufacturing capabilities, aligning with broader group strategies. Understanding these ownership trends is crucial for grasping the company's overall direction, as detailed in the Marketing Strategy of SKF Group.
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