Precision with history – serving movement since 1938
Since its foundation in 1938, Hans Saurer Kugellager AG has stood for reliability, technical expertise and entrepreneurial consistency.
What began as a small family business has developed over decades into a recognised specialist for rolling bearing solutions with its own brand name SKA®.
Today, Hans Saurer Kugellager AG combines tradition and innovation with the aim of continuously improving the performance of modern bearing technology and offering its customers reliable solutions worldwide.
An overview of the most important milestones in our development:
The beginnings
1938 – Founding of the sole proprietorship Hans Saurer Kugellager in Arbon
1939 – Conversion into a corporation
1945 – Establishment of in-house production for standard bearings in Grenchen
1950 – Specialization in customer-specific drawing bearings
1960 – Acquisition of exclusive distribution rights for the NSK brand in Switzerland
Consolidation & Brand building
1984 – Sale of in-house production in Grenchen
1993 – Move into the newly constructed company building in Stachen
1998 – Set up of an in-house engineering department with testing laboratory
Internationalisation & Digitalisation
2002 – Start of collaboration with manufacturing partners in China
2011 – Handover to the third generation
2012 – Founding of Hans Saurer Ball Bearing Ltd. in Shanghai
2015 – Introduction of the new SKA logo and relaunch of the website with integrated eShop
Strengthening presence and structures
2018 – SKA Shanghai moves to larger premises
2024 – Renovation and expansion of quality laboratory
2025 – Reorientation of brand image and complete creation of new company website ska.swiss.
Today – Over 10'000 items in stock, own testing process, traceability down to batch level, certified according to ISO 9001:2015
Precision then and now
A piece of Saurer Ball Bearings history, our image film from around 20 years ago. Even though technology, logos and cameras have changed, one thing remains the same: our passion for precision, quality and reliability. The film shows what SKA has stood for then and now. Swiss engineering spirit, a sense of partnership and movement through precision. Proof that values endure yesterday, today and tomorrow.
where precision moves.