In the future, SKF will continue to work hand in hand with the Guangzhou EMU Depot of the Guangzhou Railway Group to advance technical collaboration and capacity building to higher standards, jointly contributing to the high-quality development of China’s rail transit industry.
- April 9, 2026
As China’s high-speed rail continues to advance toward high-quality development, the reliability of key components and maintenance capabilities are becoming crucial pillars for ensuring safety and efficiency.
On March 26, SKF and the Guangzhou EMU Depot of the Guangzhou Railway Group successfully held a cooperation ceremony. The first batch of high-speed rail bearings underwent localized maintenance and was successfully released, marking a key breakthrough in the partnership—moving from “0” to “1”—and laying a solid foundation for further collaboration.
Technical Synergy
Driving the Implementation of Maintenance Capabilities
The collaborative maintenance of high-speed train bearings at the Guangzhou EMU Depot of the Guangzhou Railway Group is a key strategic initiative for both the China State Railway Group and the Guangzhou Railway Group, holding significant importance for enhancing the operational and maintenance capabilities of the Guangzhou EMU Depot. With years of deep involvement in China’s rail transit sector, SKF has consistently empowered industry development through professional expertise and customized solutions.
Throughout the project, SKF and the Guangzhou EMU Depot formed a “powerful alliance,” fully leveraging both parties’ localized experience and leading technical expertise in the railway sector. They collaborated on the development of the maintenance system and provided technical support, jointly facilitating the implementation of the first batch of locally maintained bearings.
In his remarks, Li Huasheng, General Manager of SKF’s China Rail Division, reviewed the entire process from project preparation to implementation. He stated: “Through efficient collaboration, we have built a solid bridge for technical exchange and innovation between China and the rest of the world. This not only lays the foundation for deeper future cooperation but also injects new momentum into the localization and independent maintenance of high-speed rail bearings.”
During the ceremony, the Guangzhou EMU Depot of the Guangzhou Railway Group acknowledged SKF’s technical guidance and full support. Deputy Depot Manager Li Bangwei remarked: “The successful implementation of this project has not only facilitated learning and improvement but also laid a solid foundation for deepening maintenance cooperation and gradually achieving self-reliance and control in high-speed rail bearing maintenance.”
Capacity Upgrade
Empowering an Efficient Operations and Maintenance System
Currently, SKF has obtained local maintenance certification and completed the first batch of localized bearing maintenance. As one of the key outcomes of this collaboration, the bearing maintenance line located in the south extension of the side bay of the six-line commissioning depot at the Guangzhou EMU Depot has officially commenced operations.
Through close collaboration with the Guangzhou EMU Depot of the Guangzhou Railway Group, SKF has not only successfully localized the maintenance of critical components but has also leveraged its globally leading technological expertise to provide more efficient and reliable operation and maintenance solutions for China’s high-speed rail. Through concrete actions, SKF is contributing to the self-reliance and control of China’s high-speed rail industry chain.
Deepening Cooperation
Building High-Quality Development in Rail Transit
The launch of this localized bearing maintenance service marks not only a new beginning but also the start of a long-term partnership. By implementing localized maintenance to enhance independent maintenance capabilities, both parties will continue to optimize equipment availability and operational efficiency, creating long-term value for the safe and stable operation of high-speed rail.
In the future, SKF will continue to work hand in hand with the Guangzhou EMU Depot of the Guangzhou Railway Group to advance technical collaboration and capacity building to higher standards, jointly contributing to the high-quality development of China’s rail transit industry.