Engineering partnership fuels successful launch of automatic lubrication pump production
When two companies share a commitment to innovation, quality, and long-term success,
remarkable things can be achieved. The recent launch of a dedicated production line
for SKF Lubrication‘s automatic lubrication pump at Rosti Romania stands as a testament to the
power of collaboration and the value of bringing together complementary expertise to
solve complex engineering challenges.
Building a partnership through collaboration
The journey started at the beginning of 2023, when SKF Lubrication launched a program
to upgrade its line of lubrication products. These devices are used in some of the most
demanding industrial environments, helping customers improve equipment reliability,
maximize uptime, reduce maintenance needs, and enhance health and safety
performance through automated lubrication systems.
As SKF explored the next generation of its lubrication pump platform, the company faced a
significant challenge: developing a product that could meet strict performance
requirements while staying cost competitive across a wide range of applications.
From our first discussions, this was about much more than manufacturing. SKF was looking for a partner who could contribute engineering expertise and help address challenges collaboratively—and that’s exactly how the relationship grew.
Mark Wrigley, VP Sales Europe
For SKF, this project represented a new approach. It was the first time the organization had
partnered with an outside manufacturing specialist for this product platform. Choosing
the right partner therefore required confidence not only in manufacturing capabilities, but
also in engineering expertise, business ethics, culture, and long-term strategic alignment.
Solving complex engineering challenges together
The automatic lubrication pump is much more than a standard industrial component.
Designed to perform in harsh environments, the product must withstand extreme
temperature swings, pressure washing, vibration, and tough operating conditions
while delivering reliable performance throughout its service life.
One of the key engineering challenges involved moving parts of the design from
traditional metal construction to high-performance engineered plastics. This required
careful consideration of material selection, structural strength, sealing performance
, and pressure vessel requirements.
At the same time, the new design needed to fit seamlessly into SKF’s existing
product platform, maintaining compatibility while delivering improvements in
performance, manufacturability, and cost efficiency.
This program brought together teams from multiple countries and disciplines, all working toward a shared goal. The openness and collaboration between both organizations were key to its success.
Miller Brown, Global Program Director
To support this process, Rosti invested thousands of engineering hours working closely
with SKF’s development teams. Through collaborative design reviews, technical
recommendations, manufacturability assessments, and validation activities, both
organizations worked together to optimize the product and production process.
The project leveraged expertise from several Rosti locations, combining the knowledge
and capabilities of teams from the Business Development Center, Poland, and the local
engineering and operations staff in Romania. This integrated approach ensured that
challenges could be addressed quickly and effectively throughout the development cycle.
Delivering precision and quality
Meeting the required performance standards took exceptional attention to detail in
both tooling and assembly process design.
The product includes strict dimensional requirements, calling for tight
manufacturing tolerances to make sure reliable sealing and consistent operation. Advanced
tooling design and modern assembly techniques were used to achieve the level of
quality, repeatability, and process control required.
Extensive validation was performed by both SKF and Rosti to confirm performance under
real-world operating conditions. Testing included exposure to temperatures from –
50°C to +70°C, as well as pressure wash tests to confirm seal integrity and long-term
durability.
The assembly process itself was designed with flexibility and risk management in mind,
ensuring robust production capability while providing the adaptability needed to support
future product and volume requirements.
Launching this new molding and assembly capability is a proud achievement for our team in Romania. It’s a great example of what can be accomplished when everyone is focused on the same objective.
Ovidiu Lica, Managing Director
Establishing a new manufacturing capability
With SKF’s lubrication products traditionally made for customers across major
European markets, the creation of production capability in Romania marks an
important milestone for both organizations.
The newly established molding and assembly operations at Rosti Romania are now fully
operational, offering a scalable manufacturing solution that combines engineering
excellence and operational efficiency.
More importantly, the successful implementation shows what can be accomplished
when the customer and supplier work together as one team with a shared goal.
Looking Ahead
The launch of this production line is about more than introducing a new manufacturing
capability. It highlights the trust, commitment, and shared ambition that have defined the
relationship between SKF Lubrication and Rosti throughout the project.
By bringing together engineering expertise, manufacturing innovation, and a long-term
partnership mindset, both companies have built a solid foundation for future growth
and collaboration.
As production ramps up, this achievement stands as a great example of how close
collaboration, technical excellence, and mutual trust can turn a complex challenge
into a successful and sustainable solution.
More Quotes from the Rosti Team:
The shift from metal to engineered plastic components came with some complex
technical challenges. By working closely with SKF’s engineers, we developed a solution that met strict performance requirements while remaining commercially viable.
Eliza Dabrowska Business Development Manager
Consistently achieving the required tolerances was essential. The combination of advanced tooling design and robust assembly processes has provided us with a repeatable, high-quality manufacturing solution.
Dorian Stoica Quality Manager
The product needs to perform in extremely demanding environments, so validation was a
major focus all through the project. The close collaboration between both quality teams ensured we met the required standards.
Marius Angelina Key Account Manager
From the beginning, we understood how important it was to earn the trust of SKF on their first subcontract manufacturing program. Our team’s commitment to investing time, expertise, and resources helped build a strong partnership and confidence throughout the project.
Gabriel Dragu Technical & Engineering Manager
