Engineering partnership drives 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 is 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 began in the beginning of 2023, when SKF Lubrication embarked on a program
to upgrade its platform of lubrication products. These devices operate in some of the most
demanding industrial environments, helping customers improve equipment reliability,
maximise uptime, reduce maintenance requirements 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 stringent performance
requirements while remaining cost competitive across a broad range of applications.
From our first discussions, this was about much more than manufacturing. SKF wanted a partner that could contribute engineering expertise and help solve challenges collaboratively and that’s exactly how the relationship developed.
Mark Wrigley VP Sales Europe
For SKF, this project represented a new approach. It was the first time the organisation had
partnered with an external manufacturing specialist for this product platform. Selecting
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 far more than a standard industrial component.
Designed to operate in harsh environments, the product must withstand extreme
temperature variations, pressure washing, vibration and demanding operating conditions
while maintaining reliable performance throughout its service life.
One of the key engineering challenges involved transitioning elements of the design from
traditional metal construction to high-performance engineered plastics. This required
careful consideration of material selection, structural robustness, sealing performance
and pressure vessel requirements.
At the same time, the new design needed to integrate 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 towards a common goal. The openness and collaboration between both organisations 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
organisations worked together to optimise the product and production process.
The project drew upon expertise from multiple Rosti locations, combining the knowledge
and capabilities of teams from the Business Development Centre, Poland and the local
engineering and operations teams in Romania. This integrated approach ensured that
challenges could be addressed quickly and effectively throughout the development cycle.
Delivering precision and quality
Achieving the required performance standards demanded exceptional attention to detail in
both tooling and assembly process design.
The product incorporates demanding dimensional requirements, requiring tight
manufacturing tolerances to ensure reliable sealing and consistent operation. Advanced
tooling design and modern assembly techniques were implemented to deliver the levels of
quality, repeatability and process control required.
Extensive validation was carried out by both SKF and Rosti to verify performance under
real-world operating conditions. Testing included exposure to temperatures ranging from –
50°C to +70°C, as well as pressure wash testing to confirm seal integrity and long-term
durability.
The assembly process itself was designed with flexibility and risk mitigation in mind,
ensuring robust production capability while providing the adaptability needed to support
future product and volume requirements.
Launching this new moulding 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 manufactured for customers across key
European markets, the establishment of production capability in Romania marks an
important milestone for both organisations.
The newly established moulding and assembly operations at Rosti Romania are now fully
operational, providing a scalable manufacturing solution that combines engineering
excellence with operational efficiency.
More importantly, the successful implementation demonstrates what can be achieved
when customer and supplier work as a single team with a shared objective.
Looking ahead
The launch of this production line is about more than introducing a new manufacturing
capability. It reflects 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 created a strong foundation for future growth
and collaboration.
As production ramps up, this achievement stands as a powerful example of how close
cooperation, technical excellence and mutual trust can transform a complex challenge
into a successful and sustainable solution.
More Quotes from Rosti Team:
The move from metal to engineered plastic components presented some complex
technical challenges. By working closely with SKF’s engineers, we were able to develop a solution that met demanding performance requirements while remaining commercially viable.
Eliza Dabrowska Business Development Manager
Achieving the required tolerances consistently was critical. The combination of advanced tooling design and robust assembly processes has given us a repeatable, high-quality manufacturing solution.
Dorian Stoica Quality Manager
The product must perform in extremely demanding environments, so validation was a
major focus throughout the project. The close cooperation between both quality teams ensured we achieved the standards required.
Marius Angelina Key Account Manager
From the outset, we understood the importance of earning the trust of SKF on their first subcontract manufacturing program. Our team’s willingness to invest time, expertise and resources helped establish a strong partnership and confidence throughout the project.
Gabriel Dragu Technical & Engineering Manager
