SKF USA (a division of SKF AB, Sweden) suffered an issue in the heat treat area at its Gainesville, Georgia plant, briefly forcing approximately 225 workers to evacuate.

Built in 1976, SKF Gainesville manufactures ball bearings. It is the former MRC / TRW deep-groove ball bearing plant, added via SKF's 1986 acquisition of TRW Bearings Division.

While initial reports had indicated there was a fire in the heat treat area, SKF plant manager Ken Rasheff has since told eBearing the problem was actually related to the exhaust stack and resulting smoke.

Mr. Rasheff said employees were evacuated for a short time simply as a safety precaution, but production was not disrupted.