MechChem Africa March-April 2025

⎪ Power transmission, bearings, bushes and seals ⎪

B.E.D. and SKF collaborate to meet power transmission needs With over 16 years of successful collaboration to their credit, Bolt and Engineering Distributors (B.E.D.) and global bearings supplier SKF have created a significant impact across South Africa’s agricultural, mining and industrial sectors.

“B.E.D. does not just push products: they build relationships. True to their company ethos and tagline – ‘It’s our business to know your business’ – they invest in understanding their customers’ businesses, which means providing meaningful ongoing support after the sale is made. This relationship-driven ap proach ensures SKF’s solutions fit seamlessly into customers’ operations.” Looking ahead, B.E.D. and SKF are poised to expand their collaboration into new vertical sectors, including food and beverage. B.E.D. is also planning to explore opportunities in original equipment manufacturing (OEM). “We see tremendous growth potential in areas where reliability and efficiency are non negotiable, such as power transmission. With SKF’s commitment to research and develop ment – combined with our extensive local footprint and expertise – we are confident that we can continue to deliver exceptional value!” says Botes. “By working with SKF, B.E.D. has access to a wealth of global expertise, as well as research and development-related resources. This enables us to bring cutting-edge bear ings solutions to the South African and sub Saharan African market, tailored specifically for these unique challenges and conditions,” Willers says. This collaboration means access to best in-class power transmission products that are both robust and user-friendly. B.E.D. ensures they have the stock and support to meet cus tomers’ requirements – be they immediate or longer-term – backed by their own and SKF’s responsive after-sales support. “Our goal is to be the go-to supplier for all our customers’ power transmission solutions across many different sectors. We aim not just to provide products, but peace of mind, supported by the trust and excellent relation ships which we have with SKF and with our customers,” Botes concludes. Bolt and Engineering Distributors Group (B.E.D.) has a solid track record and pool of experience built up over more than four de cades, supplying its product range to a wide variety of industry sectors, including agricul ture, mining, materials handling, working at height and welding. https://bolteng.co.za A future built on innovation and trust

Micaela Villers and Gerhard Botes.

T he longstanding collaboration between B.E.D. and SKF focuses on providing robust, reliable and efficient bearings solutions that address the specific requirements and chal lenges in industry. At the core of this partnership lies a unique synergy, akin to a scale. On one end is SKF with its cutting-edge bearing technology and products, and on the other end are customers with distinct needs. In the middle, balancing and bridging the gap, is distinctive distributor B.E.D., with its unparalleled vertical sector knowledge and commitment to its custom ers’ success. SKF’s extensive bearings product portfolio is complemented by B.E.D.'s deep indus try insight and technical expertise. B.E.D. Product Manager and Agri Product Specialist Gerhard Botes explains: “We effectively act as a ‘bridge’, connecting SKF’s technological advancements with the specific needs of our customers. Our local knowledge and expertise enable us to understand their pain points and deliver solutions that truly make a difference.” Over the years, B.E.D. has focused on sec tors where the demand for high-quality and dependable power transmission solutions is paramount. Micaela Willers, SKF’s Power Transmission Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa notes: “Electricity is a huge input cost in any

sector. South Africa’s recent energy issues illustrated this very starkly. Our power trans mission solutions essentially take the load off applications, thereby decreasing energy costs, while increasing productivity. An excellent example of this is in agriculture. It takes specialised knowledge to serve the agricultural sector effectively. Gerhard and his team at B.E.D. bring this knowledge to the table, with an intricate understanding of everything from combine harvesters to crop sprayers – and more,” she says. B.E.D. has become synonymous with the providing the right solutions, especially in agricultural power transmission. “Our cus tomers know that they can count on us for reliable products, which enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs – essential during the planting and harvesting seasons,” Botes advises. Empowering training and support Both companies emphasise the importance of customer training as a strategic tool to maxi mise the benefits of SKF’s power transmission solutions. “The training we provide together with B.E.D. covers practical skills, which are immediately applicable in sectors such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing. It is about more than just using the product; but is about understanding its full potential,” Willers explains.

March-April 2025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 35