SKF to Open Panama Distribution Center by March 2028
The new facility will streamline bearing logistics for industrial operators across Mexico and South America.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Business Strategy
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Bearing manufacturer SKF will open a new distribution center in Panama to improve logistics across Latin America. Operations at the facility are scheduled to begin in March 2028.
Why it matters
The investment aims to optimize regional supply chains by establishing a central logistics hub to serve Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Central American markets.
SKF maintains a global footprint across 130 countries and currently employs 37,000 people. The facility in Panama is expected to be fully operational within a 17-month development window.
The players
SKF
A Swedish-based global leader in bearing engineering and industrial manufacturing that operates across 130 countries.
The details
The new hub will act as a centralized node for the company’s regional logistics, shortening transit times for its bearing products to key markets in Mexico and South America. Local facility preparation will commence immediately, with the build-out scheduled to conclude in March 2028 when the site officially integrates into the company’s distribution network.
Timeline
March 2028: Planned start of operations in Panama.
Market Landscape
This development aligns with the trend of nearshoring logistics hubs to shorten supply chains within the Americas. It reflects a strategic move to reposition regional inventory closer to high-growth markets in Mexico and South America.
Operators managing industrial supply chains in the affected regions should monitor how this hub impacts lead times and freight costs starting in 2028. Businesses reliant on these distribution lanes should track the facility's integration to assess potential shifts in vendor delivery reliability.
The takeaway
This logistics shift highlights the priority of reducing regional lead times for heavy industrial parts. Owners should track local facility project milestones to anticipate changes in distribution speed within their specific supply chain footprint.
What happens next
SKF is expected to complete facility preparations by March 2028, at which point the site will begin distributing to markets in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Central America.
Further reading
For more on how global firms refine their logistics networks, visit Business Strategy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsroom Panama.
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