My Success Partner YG-1, SKF (France, End User)

With the increasing number of variables that affect the global economy, many companies have adopted ‘survival strategies’ that focus on cooperation with customers to ensure mutual prosperity. A company’s ability to be recognized by more customers in the market determines its growth and survival. Even a company that provides the best products and services can be kicked out of the market if it fails to satisfy customers. It is time for corporations to establish an eco-system in which they thrive with their customers and serve as heartwarming partners designing a future together. As such, the shortcut to realize their sustainable growth is increasing contacts with customers and taking customers’ opinions as the starting point of innovation.

SKF is a leading global supplier of solutions for rotating equipment that combines hands-on industry experience with a vast product portfolio and knowledge around bearings, seals, lubrication management, condition monitoring and maintenance services. SKF solutions are used in airplane bodies, aircraft engines and gear boxes. SKF has become a world market leader by providing first-class products and solutions for customers in 40 different industries across the globe. SKF is one of the most trusted and well-known global industrial brands, which is a strong advantage in the bearing industry.

An Interview with Mr. Jérôme Demarque, Methods Technician Head of Programming Team, SKF Aeroengine

• 1. Can you introduce your company and your business?
  YG-1 started serving SKF at its site in Valenciennes, France, which specializes in the production of bearings used by aerospace customers such as Airbus for the Leap engine and Rolls Royce.

• 2. What YG-1 products do you use?
  Mainly 4G Mill Solid Carbide End Mill and X5070 Nano Solid Carbide End Mill, but also special products manufactured by YG-1's technical center in Germany, drills for hardened steel and the Solid Carbide Dream Drill Pro. We will start testing the turning inserts very soon and we are looking forward to the results.

• 3. Which YG-1 product do you find the best? Please tell us why.
  4G Mill Solid Carbide End Mill and X5070 Nano Solid Carbide End Mill have excellent performance when machining our treated steels, sometimes up to 65HRc. Similarly, the Solid Carbide Dream Drill High Hardened Steel.

• 4. What is the most important thing when looking to buy a cutting tool?
  The benefit to our production cost, the technical support, our confidence in the supplier.

• 5. Compared to other competitors, what are the strong points of YG-1 products? What are the weak points that need to be improved?
  The strongest point is the quality/price ratio which allows us to reduce our manufacturing costs, then comes the service and technical support. The machining of our products is very important, if new tools are available we want to know about them! This is also a point where YG-1 is strong, together with the capabilities from the Tech Center to make special tools for us.

• 6. What do you think of YG-1 cutting tools based on your experience? Please share your opinion with us.
  YG-1 is very responsive to our needs, whether it is for special or standard products. The product portfolio is large and we can usually find what we need.

• 7. Is there another YG-1 product line (even in development) that interests you?
  At the moment we are also very interested in your special tools, and want to recommend developing them as standard tools, as we are not the only company serving aerospace customers who could use them.

• 8. Is there anything else you would like to mention?
  We want to thank Mecanego, the local distributor who introduced us to YG-1’s impressive price and quality and world-class technical support.