SKF Vehicle Aftermarket is deepening its long-standing relationship with the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council. A new partnership will saw the company and the organization deliver live, hands-on training sessions during TMC’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Nashville.

The training initiative, held March 16–19 at the Music City Center, was designed to sharpen technician expertise and improve fleet maintenance outcomes, particularly around wheel-end systems and bearing performance.

Longstanding Collaboration With TMC

SKF and TMC have collaborated for years across study groups, task forces, and technical sessions, as well as through contributions to industry standards.

“SKF’s collaboration with TMC spans many years and includes our participation in study groups, task forces, technical sessions, and even contributions to industry maintenance standards,” said Cengiz Shevket, vice president of innovation and business development for SKF Reliability Solutions.

He noted that SKF has also played a role in updating TMC Recommended Practices, including a new spindle condition analysis RP currently under review by the TMC Board.

Bringing that expertise directly to technicians at the Annual Meeting, he added, creates a valuable opportunity for both fleets and service professionals.

Focus On Wheel-End Reliability

At the core of the training effort is SKF’s Certified Trouble Free Operation (TFO) program, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on demonstrations.

The curriculum focused on key areas such as inspection, installation, lubrication, and failure prevention for wheel bearings and wheel-end systems. These are components that are critical to vehicle uptime and safety.

By emphasizing practical application, SKF aimed to help technicians better diagnose issues, avoid common maintenance pitfalls, and extend component life.

Training Designed to Improve Uptime

The broader goal of the program was to help fleets improve reliability while controlling maintenance costs.

Through the TFO training sessions, participants earned certifications recognizing proficiency in core maintenance disciplines. The sessions also provided direct access to industry experts, allowing technicians to deepen their understanding of best practices and emerging standards.

SKF said the initiative was intended to equip service professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to maximize uptime. This is an ongoing priority for fleets facing tight operating margins and increasing equipment complexity.

Bringing Education to the Show Floor

By offering on-site training during TMC, SKF said it was meeting technicians where they are. TMC is one of the industry’s largest gatherings focused on maintenance and engineering.

The move reflects a broader trend of bringing more interactive, skills-based education into industry events, helping translate technical standards and theory into real-world application.

For fleets, that could mean faster adoption of best practices and more consistent maintenance performance across operations.