Plans to demolish former SKF factory in Luton submitted to council

In October 2024, Swedish-based SKF closed its ball bearing manufacturing factory in Sundon Park Road after more than 100 years of production in the town.

Under the plans, new owners Hillwood – as HE5 UK Enterprises 24 GP Limited – would demolish the four buildings on the site “in preparation for a future employment-led redevelopment”.

Hillwood has been approached for comment.

SKF left the site and took all the machinery away after it decided to move its production to Poland.

Hillwood stated that the existing factory is “no longer fit for purpose”, with the majority of buildings made “with significant elements of asbestos-containing material which requires safe removal and disposal”.

If the plans are approved, the demolition would start on June 2 2025 and take 28 weeks to complete – lasting until mid-November.

Ian Peverill, managing director of SKF UK: "Following the closure of our bearing factory, new premises have been acquired for remaining staff to leverage modern facilities and create a more collaborative and sustainable working environment for our employees.

"We are very pleased that we have been able to retain our Luton presence, moving our railway service centre to a site adjacent to our previous Sundon Park site and relocating our office-based staff to a site at Capability Green.

"While we will miss our previous site and the rich history and legacy it holds, we are happy to be able to retain SKF's presence in Luton."

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