SKF products in Russia are counterfeits according to company's experts
According to SKF's own experts, products sold in Russia are counterfeit versions of the company's original parts. Police are investigating whether large volumes indicate negligence on SKF's part. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson welcomes the scrutiny as important.
A series of investigative reports from Aftonbladet has shed light on SKF's products in Russia. In the first part, it emerges that SKF's own experts have assessed components found on the Russian market as counterfeits. These copies mimic SKF's original parts but lack the company's quality assurance, according to the experts' analysis.
Police have become involved in the investigation, which is now in its seventh part. According to police, the large volumes of such products could indicate negligence on SKF's part. 'Large volumes may speak for negligence', a police source is quoted in the report. The investigation focuses on whether SKF was aware of or contributed to the spread of these copies, despite international sanctions against Russia.
The background to the scrutiny is the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has led to strict export restrictions for Western companies. SKF, a global Swedish industrial company headquartered in Gothenburg, has previously denied direct deliveries to Russia after sanctions were imposed in 2022. However, the reports show that copies of their products still reach the market, possibly via third countries or unlicensed producers.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has commented positively on the revelation. 'It is important scrutiny', he says in an interview, emphasizing the value of journalistic work in ensuring compliance with sanctions. Kristersson stresses that the government supports investigations into potential violations.
The scrutiny raises questions about SKF's supply chains and responsibilities in a geopolitically tense time. The company has not commented on the specific allegations beyond the expert assessment, but police continue their work to clarify if any negligence is present. The revelations highlight the challenges for Swedish companies in navigating sanctions against Russia.