SKF Unveils New Brand Identity

SKF new logo

Swedish industrial bearings major SKF is revamping its brand identity, which it said is to help the group to further stand out in the industry, attract new customers and ultimately drive profitability.

The over a century old bearings company is amongst the top players globally when it comes to being a closed partner for industrial and mobility solutions.Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO, SKF, said, “Our brand is the accumulation of everything we do – innovations, values, people, reputation, communication and our desired future state. From a business perspective, we are building favourability among current and potential customers, employees, investors, partners, and beyond. It is a way of earning our place in the world while staying true to our values and purpose.”

The refresh brand strategy aims to reflect upon SKF’s historical, current and future strengths. The idea is to clearly communicate its impact on the world and public perception towards its innovative and sustainable solutions.

Per Nilsson, Director Communication, SKF, said, "Only a few companies in the world can reduce friction like SKF. Wherever there is rotation, we show up – from bicycles to high-speed trains, from paper mills to washing machines. A fantastic position to have, but also an inspiring story still to be told. We have been fighting friction since 1907 and today it is more relevant than ever before.”

The refreshed brand identity includes a redesigned logo, a fresher blue, a new typeface and more distinctive photography.

Going forward, the company will roll out the brand identity across its marketing communication along with working with its distribution partner.

“Through almost 120 years of innovation, we’ve developed products and solutions that reduce friction. Now we’re stepping that up. Not just reducing friction but actively fighting friction to move the world forward and telling the story about the difference we make,” concluded Gustafson.

Bonfiglioli Transmissions Strengthens Board With New Appointments

Bonfiglioli Transmissions has announced the appointment of Ravindra Pisharody as Chairperson and Independent Director. The company also appointed Sundaresan Ananthanarayanan and Rossella Schiavini as Independent Directors to its board, effective February 2026.

These changes aim to enhance governance and strategic oversight for the provider of mechanical and electro-mechanical power transmissions.

Ravindra Pisharody, who has served on the company’s board since 2018, takes over as Chairperson. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIM Calcutta, Pisharody has 36 years of experience in marketing and sales. His career includes leadership roles at Tata Motors, Philips India, BP India and BP Singapore.

As of 31 December 2025, he holds directorships in several companies, including Muthoot Finance and Happy Forgings.

Sundaresan Ananthanarayanan joins the board with a background in electrical and mechanical engineering. He previously held a role at Ammann India, where he worked within the infrastructure and industrial equipment sector. His appointment is intended to provide perspective on industrial systems and manufacturing operations.

Rossella Schiavini brings international experience in corporate governance and finance. A graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, she has over seven years of board-level experience. Her previous associations include BPER Banca and Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione SIIQ. Schiavini’s expertise lies in risk management and strategic decision-making within global organisations.

Spark Minda Elevates Ajay Agarwal As Group Chief Financial Officer

Ajay Agarwal

Minda Corporation (Spark Minda) has announced the appointment of Ajay Agarwal as Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP), effective 5 February 2026.

Agarwal takes on this position in addition to his current role as President of Finance and Strategy. In his expanded capacity, he will manage the group's financial strategy and governance. His responsibilities include leading initiatives in growth, digital transformation and investor relations.

Agarwal is a Chartered Accountant and lawyer with over two decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic planning and mergers & acquisitions. He joined Spark Minda in May 2025 and has focused on capital allocation and operational efficiency.

Prior to joining Spark Minda, he was the President of Finance and Strategy at Vedanta, and also held leadership positions at KPMG and PwC.

The appointment is part of Spark Minda’s initiative to strengthen its leadership team. The company intends to use Agarwal's experience to manage market dynamics and value creation.

Bharat Forge Subsidiary JS Auto Cast Secures INR 3 Billion From Premji Invest

JS Auto Cast

JS Auto Cast Foundry India (JSA), a subsidiary of Bharat Forge, has raised INR 3 billion crore in equity from Premji Invest (PI). Following the primary infusion of capital, Premji Invest will hold a 23 percent stake in the company on a fully diluted basis.

JSA is a supplier of ferrous castings for the industrial and automotive sectors. The company intends to use the capital to expand casting capacity, invest in medium casting capabilities, and pursue industry consolidation through acquisitions.

Since its acquisition by Bharat Forge in 2022, JSA has reported growth in revenue, exports, and profitability with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17 percent, 24 percent and 25 percent respectively.

Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge, said, “Since 2022 when we acquired JSA, the company has delivered excellent financial performance with topline, exports and profitability growing at a CAGR of 17 percent, 24 percent and 25 percent respectively, while enhancing its product mix and customer base. We are delighted to partner with Premji Invest (PI), a renowned and highly respected investor, in the next phase of JSA’s growth journey.”

The investment aligns with Premji Invest’s strategy of collaborating with engineering and manufacturing conglomerates on growth and consolidation initiatives.

Manoj Jaiswal, Partner, Premji Invest, said, “We are excited to partner with Bharat Forge, a premier engineering and manufacturing conglomerate in the country. Collaborating with leading conglomerates on their growth and consolidation journey is one of our strategic pillars. Through our investment in JSA, we look forward to jointly building a leading ferrous casting platform in the country.”

Schaeffler - SIAT

Tier 1 supplier Schaeffler India is showcasing a range of motion technologies at the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026. The company's exhibit at Hall Zone D includes electrification solutions such as drives, motors and modules, alongside powertrain systems for internal combustion engines and hybrid vehicles.

The portfolio on display features chassis components, sensors, fuel delivery modules, and bearings designed to reduce friction in vehicles. The company is highlighting its local engineering capabilities and its work with manufacturers to develop mobility solutions within India.

Company executives are participating in the symposium's technical programme. Madhurisha Vippatoori, Chief Technical Officer, is chairing the Testing and Evaluation track. Deepak Kasturi, Head of Innovation India, is delivering a keynote address regarding Euro 7 standards and real-time emissions monitoring.

The company stated that its presence at the event reflects its focus on engineering innovation, energy efficiency and collaborative development with automotive customers and academia.

Harsha Kadam, CEO & MD, Schaeffler India, said, “As a leading mobility solutions provider in India, we at Schaeffler are proud to be associated with all the leading automotive customers in shaping the future of mobility. We are equally committed to supporting our customers across various types of powertrains that will support cleaner, electrified, and intelligent mobility. Together, we are shaping a more secure, sustainable, and future-ready India.”

Viswanathan Sambasivam, Division Head - Powertrain & Chassis India, said, “SIAT provides an ideal platform to demonstrate how we are shaping mobility for India. Our focus is on co-engineering with OEMs, accelerating technology transfer, and strengthening local value creation. The solutions we are bringing this year represent the next step in advancing clean, safe, and smarter mobility.”

Omkar Kulkarni, Division Head - E-Mobility India, said, “India is one of our most important engineering hubs. Our teams here are working closely with customers to design for India, build in India, and innovate for India. The technologies displayed at SIAT underline our ability to combine global expertise with local development capabilities.”