SKF takes 60% stake in robotics JV with Leaderdrive in China

SKF AB will hold a 60% stake in a joint venture with Leaderdrive in China, the Swedish bearing maker said Thursday, targeting the fast-growing market for high-precision transmission components used in humanoid robot joints.

"This venture is well aligned with our strategy to drive profitable growth and strengthen our position in selected high-growth industrial segments," said Henry Wang, president of SKF's Industrial Region China and North-East Asia. "Targeting the industrial humanoid segment, this partnership provides the agility needed to respond to rapid market iterations, while leveraging our core technologies to support industry advancement."

The venture will develop and supply components for robot joints that support the reliability required for continuous operation of humanoids in industrial applications, according to the companies. Leaderdrive contributes deep application know-how in automation products and humanoid robotics, while SKF brings expertise in bearing technology, scalable manufacturing and global supply chains. The venture is expected to become operational by the end of 2026.

The deal positions SKF in the humanoid robotics supply chain, a market attracting increasing industrial commitment as Embodied AI technology advances toward mass production. China, the world's largest and fastest-growing humanoid robotics market, will serve as the venture's base, with SKF's global network targeting additional sales in Europe, Japan and the US.

"As the Embodied AI humanoids industry continues to scale, the stable delivery of reliable core transmission components becomes a critical differentiator," said Yuyu Zuo, chairman of the board and executive director at Leaderdrive. "Building on our shared foundation in industrial applications, we can help drive technological development in these humanoids and create sustainable value in this expanding market."

China's Humanoid Supply Chain Takes Shape

The venture will be headquartered in China, positioned close to key supply chains and customers, enabling a responsive operating model. SKF's 60% majority stake supports the group's strategic focus on high-growth segments, the company said. The partnership brings together Leaderdrive's precision robotic component manufacturing expertise with SKF's global industrial footprint, potentially accelerating time to market for components needed as humanoid robot makers scale toward volume production.

The humanoid robotics industry has drawn increasing attention from industrial companies seeking exposure to what many view as the next wave of automation. Embodied AI — artificial intelligence integrated into physical machines capable of interacting with the environment — is seen as a key enabler for humanoids in factory settings, where they could perform tasks ranging from assembly to material handling. Companies including Tesla Inc., Nvidia Corp. and China's UBTech Robotics have all announced humanoid initiatives, creating demand for specialized components such as the precision joints the SKF-Leaderdrive venture will produce.

For SKF, the venture represents a move beyond its traditional bearing and seal business into higher-value precision motion components. The Gothenburg-based company, which operates in more than 130 countries, has been shifting toward segments with stronger growth profiles, including aerospace and renewable energy. The JV structure allows SKF to tap Leaderdrive's existing manufacturing capabilities and customer relationships in China's robotics supply chain while maintaining majority control and financial consolidation. The deal also gives SKF a direct channel into China's industrial automation market, where domestic robot makers are expanding production capacity to meet both local and export demand.

The partnership reflects a broader trend of traditional industrial manufacturers moving into the robotics supply chain as humanoid development accelerates. For Leaderdrive, the deal provides access to SKF's global sales network and manufacturing scale, potentially opening markets beyond China where humanoid adoption in industrial settings is still in early stages.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.