COLUMBIA -- SKF Group and GE Aviation are jointly establishing a new facility in Charleston to manufacture and repair bearings for GE jet engines.

Venture Aerobearings LLC, is slated to begin operation by mid-2008 from a newly leased facility.

Based on current demand for jet engines, GE and SKF expect the facility to employ up to 100 people when fully operational in 2009.

Buoyed by continuing sales success of its high-thrust jet engines for airlines worldwide, GE production has been increasing at a double-digit rate since 2005, driving demand for precision bearings. SKF is one of the world's largest producers of bearings for jet engines.

The bearings support and enable the free rotation of the main shaft running through the jet engine, and thus, must withstand considerable loads. As a result, the production of bearings requires precise manufacturing processes. Bearings are manufactured from hardened steel alloys.

Charleston was chosen because of the region's skilled work force and support from local and state officials.

Based in Sweden, the SKF Group is the leading global supplier of products, solutions and services in the area comprising rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, services and lubrication systems.

SKF has 100 manufacturing sites worldwide.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric, is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.