Financial and employee data are derived from Schaeffler’s 2025 reporting.3

Schaeffler operates as a precision engineering and motion technology enterprise. Its product portfolio encompasses technologies designed to enable efficient, reliable, and precise movement in machines and vehicles. The term “motion” is central to the corporate identity; Schaeffler components are utilized wherever rotation, sliding, power transfer, steering, or friction reduction is required.

The company positions itself as a global Motion Technology Company, pursuing a strategy focused on innovative products and services across the entire spectrum of motion.4 Its technologies are integral to passenger cars, electric vehicles (EVs), commercial trucks, motorcycles, industrial machinery, wind turbines, aerospace systems, robotics, machine tools, railway equipment, agricultural machinery, and automotive aftermarket repair.6

Foundation and early innovation

The company’s history commenced in 1946, shortly after World War II, when Dr. Wilhelm Schaeffler and Dr.-Ing. Georg Schaeffler established Industrie GmbH in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Initial production focused on metal products before shifting toward bearings and precision components.5

A pivotal breakthrough occurred in 1949 when Georg Schaeffler developed the cage-guided needle roller bearing. This engineering advancement allowed for compact bearing arrangements capable of supporting significant loads, forming the technical foundation for the company’s early success and establishing the INA brand.6

Brand evolution

Three historical brands define Schaeffler’s product identity:

• INA: Originating from Industrie-Nadellager (industrial needle bearings), this brand expanded beyond needle rollers to include ball bearings, plain bearings, linear guides, and engine and transmission components.7
• LuK: Established in Bühl, Germany, in 1965 by the Schaeffler brothers, LuK initially focused on automotive clutch technology. It became renowned for the diaphragm spring clutch, dual-mass flywheels, and dual-clutch technologies. Schaeffler eventually acquired full ownership, integrating LuK deeply into its automotive business.89
• FAG: With roots tracing back to 1883 and Friedrich Fischer’s invention of a machine for mass-producing precision steel balls, FAG represents the rolling-bearing heritage of the group. Schaeffler acquired FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schäfer AG in 2001, significantly broadening its industrial and automotive market position.10

Transformation to systems provider

Over recent decades, Schaeffler transitioned from a pure component manufacturer to a provider of complete systems and engineering solutions. Expertise expanded into mechanical engineering, automotive powertrains, electrification, sensors, mechatronics, industrial automation, digital condition monitoring, renewable energy, and aerospace.12

This transformation accelerated with the acquisition of Vitesco Technologies, completed in 2024. Vitesco specialized in automotive electrification and powertrain technologies, enhancing Schaeffler’s capabilities in electric motors, power electronics, hybrid systems, and electronic control units.13

As of the current organizational framework, Schaeffler operates through four product-oriented divisions:

E-Mobility

This division addresses the shift toward electrified transport, covering electric motors, electric axles, power electronics, vehicle electrification systems, and hybrid powertrain technologies. In 2025, E-Mobility generated approximately €5.015 billion in revenue.14

Powertrain & Chassis

Focusing on propulsion, transmission, and chassis systems for internal-combustion, hybrid, and conventional vehicles, this division includes clutches, drivetrain systems, and engine components. Despite the rise of EVs, this segment remains vital, generating approximately €8.9 billion in revenue in 2025.15

Vehicle Lifetime Solutions

This division manages the automotive aftermarket and vehicle repair business, supplying replacement parts such as clutch repair systems, bearings, timing-system components, and wheel-bearing systems. It ensures Schaeffler’s participation throughout a vehicle’s operational life, recording approximately €3.038 billion in revenue in 2025.16

Bearings & Industrial Solutions

Representing the traditional bearing expertise, this division serves industries including wind energy, aerospace, rail, robotics, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. Products include rolling bearings, linear systems, direct-drive technology, and monitoring systems. Revenue for this division reached approximately €6.368 billion in 2025.17

Schaeffler maintains an extensive product portfolio spanning mechanical and electromechanical domains.

Bearings and industrial applications

Bearings remain a core competency, including ball, roller, cylindrical, spherical, tapered, needle, axial, and precision bearings. These are used to reduce friction and support moving components in diverse settings. Industrial customers utilize these technologies in wind turbines, production machinery, aerospace systems, pumps, compressors, and robotics. In the Philippine market specifically, the portfolio includes high-precision components and bearing solutions tailored for both mobility and industrial applications.11

Automotive and e-mobility

The company supplies major manufacturers with clutch systems, dual-mass flywheels, valve-train components, camshaft systems, chassis components, and electric drive parts. Following the integration of Vitesco Technologies, the electrification portfolio now covers the entire chain from battery and power electronics to electric motors, transmissions, e-axles, and wheels.

Key innovations

Notable technological milestones include:

• Cage-guided needle roller bearing (1949): Foundational to INA’s success.18
• Diaphragm spring clutch: A major LuK innovation introduced in Europe in the 1960s.19
• Dual-mass flywheel: Designed to reduce drivetrain vibration.
• Smart bearings: Integration of mechanical components with sensors and digital services for condition monitoring.

Contrary to the perception that EVs threaten traditional bearing manufacturers, electric vehicles require extensive precision engineering for bearings, thermal management, sensors, and steering. Consequently, Schaeffler has repositioned itself as a broader mobility technology supplier, with E-Mobility revenue growing 7.0% at constant currency on a pro-forma basis in 2025.20

Schaeffler operates a global network comprising approximately 250 locations in 55 countries, including manufacturing, R&D, and sales facilities.21 Major regions include Europe, North America, South America, Greater China, and Asia-Pacific.

For stakeholders in the Philippines, the company maintains specific operations dedicated to serving local industrial and automotive needs. The Philippine operation describes its portfolio as encompassing high-precision components, systems, and bearing solutions for both mobility and industrial applications, underscoring the brand’s active role in the country’s technical infrastructure.11

Schaeffler’s 2025 financial results reflect its scale following the Vitesco integration:

Revenue by division in 2025 was distributed as follows: E-Mobility (€5.015B), Powertrain & Chassis (€8.900B), Vehicle Lifetime Solutions (€3.038B), and Bearings & Industrial Solutions (€6.368B).22

Schaeffler remains predominantly family-owned, distinguishing it from many other major German industrial firms. Following the death of Georg Schaeffler in 1996, Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann and her son Georg F. W. Schaeffler continued the family’s business interests.14 Although Schaeffler AG is publicly listed, the Schaeffler family remains the dominant shareholder group.15

The company is led by Chief Executive Officer Klaus Rosenfeld. The executive board oversees functions including finance, human resources, operations, technology, and the four operational divisions.5

Sustainability is integral to corporate strategy, focusing on emissions reduction, energy efficiency, circular economy principles, and responsible sourcing. In July 2026, Schaeffler received an EcoVadis Platinum rating, placing it at the highest level of that sustainability assessment.13

Looking forward, the company has identified humanoid robotics and defense as emerging growth areas, aiming to generate up to 10% of revenue from new growth sectors by 2035.24 Robotics leverages Schaeffler’s existing expertise in bearings, actuators, gears, and sensors, and partnerships with humanoid-robotics companies have already been announced.25

Historically, Schaeffler and Continental maintained a significant corporate relationship. Between 2008 and 2009, Schaeffler attempted to acquire Continental and became a major shareholder, though the stake was subsequently reduced over time. This period briefly linked two of Germany’s largest automotive technology groups.23

• 1883: Friedrich Fischer develops machine for precision steel balls (FAG roots).
• 1946: Wilhelm and Georg Schaeffler establish Industrie GmbH in Herzogenaurach.27
• 1949: Development of the cage-guided needle roller bearing.
• 1965: LuK established for automotive clutch technology.
• 1996: Georg Schaeffler dies; family succession continues.14
• 2001: Acquisition of FAG Kugelfischer.
• 2008–2009: Schaeffler becomes major shareholder of Continental.
• 2015: Schaeffler AG goes public.
• 2024: Merger with Vitesco Technologies completed.26
• 2025: New four-division structure implemented for reporting.28
• 2026: Continued expansion into e-mobility, robotics, and new motion markets.29

1. The Schaeffler story | We pioneer motion | Schaeffler Group
2. Schaeffler Group
3. Schaeffler AG Q1 2026 Factbook
4. Annual Report 2025
5. Executive Board | Schaeffler Group
6. Strategy | Schaeffler Group
7. A Brilliant Idea Yesterday, a Global Company Today
8. Pioneering Spirit
9. SCHAEFFLEREnvironmental StatementReport Environmental Protection and Safety
10. tomorrow Issue 2/2024 ⋅ Integration
11. Products & Solutions | Schaeffler Philippines
12. Schaeffler reports solid results for 2025
13. Sustainability | Schaeffler Group
14. Origins: The Schaeffler family of entrepreneurs | Schaeffler Group
15. Shareholders
16. Schaeffler with stable overall results in transition year 2024
17. Schaeffler Automotive Symposium presents innovations and technologies for the future
18. Schaeffler Automotive Symposium präsentiert Innovationen und Technologien für die Zukunft
19. Schaeffler Automotive Symposium präsentiert Innovationen und Technologien für die Zukunft | IR-Mitteilungen | Schaeffler Gruppe
20. Schaeffler Automotive Symposium präsentiert Innovationen und Technologien für die Zukunft | Pressemitteilungen | Schaeffler Österreich
21. Schaeffler Automotive Symposium präsentiert Innovationen und Technologien für die Zukunft
22. Schaeffler delivers robust third quarter
23. Schaeffler Kapitalmarkttag 2025 – Auf dem Weg zur führenden Motion Technology Company | Pressemitteilungen | Schaeffler Österreich
24. Schaeffler off to good start in 2025
25. Annual General Meeting 2025 of Schaeffler AG | Schaeffler Group
26. Merger of Vitesco Technologies Group AG into Schaeffler AG successfully completed
27. 1940 to 1946 | Genesis of an entrepreneur | Schaeffler Group
28. Earnings Releases Investor Relations | Schaeffler Group
29. Impressum | Schaeffler Training Campus