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SKF Expands Falconer Operation

By Matt Glynn

August 18, 2010

SKF Aeroengine North America is starting construction on a heat-treating facility in Falconer, an $18 million investment expected to protect 691 jobs in the Jamestown area.

The Chautauqua County company makes ball and roller bearings used in helicopters and jet engines.

The investment, announced in December, involves installing a high-tech vacuum furnace. The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2011.

Gov. David A. Paterson said the investment “will allow SKF the capacity to make additional investments in the future.”

To help offset project costs, Empire State Development is offering SKF $2.75 million, consisting of $1.375 million grants from the Manufacturing Assistance Program and the Upstate Regional Blueprint Fund. The State Senate and Assembly are providing $500,000 in grants, and the New York Power Authority is supplying two megawatts of low-cost power.

Tom Johnstone, president and chief executive officer of parent company AB SKF, said the heat-treating operation will process parts for four aero-bearing operations in the United States and for Venture Aerobearings, a joint venture with GE in South Carolina.

“This is something the local community can take great pride in securing,” Johnstone said.

The project will also allow SKF to combine their operations on one campus, Johnstone said. The company presently has locations in Jamestown and Falconer. No new jobs are expected to result from the project.

The company makes custom- engineered ball and roller bearings for the aerospace industry, as well as specialty applications such as pumps, motors and power transmission assemblies. SKF also remanufactures bearings.

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