As fleet operators face tighter budgets, tougher ESG targets and the constant pressure to keep services running on time, refurbishment is proving to be one of the rail industry’s most effective – and overlooked – tools.
SKF is helping operators across Australia realise those benefits, combining local workshop capabilities with global engineering standards to extend component life and cut waste without compromising performance.
“Refurbishment allows us to reuse up to 90 per cent of the original bearing material,” said Thanh Huynh, Business Development Manager at SKF Australia.
“That translates into a lower carbon footprint and roughly 40 per cent cost savings compared to buying new.”
SKF operates two Circular Solution Centres in Perth and Brisbane, where they refurbish customer bearings and products – supporting local rail operators with faster turnaround times and consistent service. These sites handle all aspects of the process including inspection, cleaning, polishing, and replacement of worn parts, with the goal of restoring bearings to meet required specifications.
And it’s not just bearings. SKF’s local workshop capabilities include refurbishment of axleboxes, bearing units, housings and related components – with more than a thousand axleboxes processed across Australia last year alone.
Waste not, want not
By inspecting and regreasing worn bearings that are still structurally sound – and meet specified tolerances – SKF enables customers to get a second or third life out of components that might otherwise be scrapped.
“SKF applies strict inspection and quality control criteria, ensuring refurbished items meet the performance and reliability standards,” said Huynh.
“It’s a more hands-on process – more labour-intensive, but with a very high level of attention to detail.”
“The only time we don’t see bearings for refurbishment is when an OEM specification mandates new parts,” added Patrick Hofstadler, Head of Operations at SKF Australia.
“Where operators have flexibility, refurbishment wins every business case.”
In addition to direct cost savings, refurbishment shortens lead times and reduces material consumption – both of which help rail operators manage operational and environmental risk.
Simplifying sustainability
With increasing pressure on operators to decarbonise, refurbishment has become an important part of the solution. SKF’s data suggests that refurbishing a bearing can reduce its carbon footprint by more than 90 per cent compared to producing a new one.
SKF also removes logistical headaches with programs like its “100-for-100” refurbishment model.
As Hofstadler explained: “Send us a pallet of 100 bearings and you always get 100 back – either refurbished or replaced with new SKF units. One purchase order, no guesswork.”
That simplicity has proven popular with rail operators, particularly in large-scale freight and passenger networks where consistency and uptime are critical.
SKF’s refurbishment work is supported by two fully equipped local workshops and inspection labs, as well as access to global data, standards and materials. Customers also benefit from full traceability, robust reporting and alignment with rail standards.
Long-term thinking, local execution
While new product innovation is often in the spotlight, it’s services like refurbishment that offer some of the most immediate wins for rail operators. The environmental and financial case is clear – and as Huynh said, the longer-term outlook is just as strong.
“We’re helping customers think beyond the first service life,” he said. “By building bearing refurbishment into the asset plan from day one, you get better returns and a more resilient supply chain.”
For more on SKF’s rail refurbishment services, visit: www.skf.com/au/industries/railways
