Ground-Breaking Ceremony for Schaeffler S First Ever Factory for Tomorrow

Ground-breaking ceremony for Schaeffler’s first ever “Factory for tomorrow”

New location in Xiangtan, China

An active response to future development trends

Location structure enables close collaboration between Production and corporate functions

XIANGTAN, CHINA/HERZOGENAURACH,November 29, 2017. At the new production location in Xiangtan in the Chinese province of Hunan, Schaeffler is building its first ever “Factory for tomorrow”. With this 75th production location, the company is expanding its global network of plants and is responding to future development trends. The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the end of November with guests including Oliver Jung, Chief Operating Officer. In 2018, the construction of the production plant will begin and is expected to start operating in 2019. The building will be constructed on a total area of approx. 315,000 square metres.

Schaeffler’s first “Factory for tomorrow” in Xiangtan is modeled on the shape of a butterfly. The four halls represent the wings, and the buildings in the centre represent the body where various departments are accommodated including the administrative departments. This arrangement means that Production can collaborate closely with all the supporting production-related departments, as well as Finance, HR and Purchasing. In this way, internal communication is improved. The production area has a modular design, which means that new modules for production lines and product ranges can be easily added.

When designing the factory, in addition to a high level of construction and energy efficiency, great emphasis was placed on ensuring that the building receives as much daylight as possible in a bid to increase employee satisfaction. This is why the building was designed in such a way that employees are able to see outside from every point in the factory. A standardised supply grid makes it possible to connect machines to the mains quickly and easily.

“We want to actively shape “Mobility for tomorrow”, which is why we are concentrating on the key opportunities for future e-mobility, Industry 4.0, and digitalisation,” said Oliver Jung, Chief Operating Officer of the Schaeffler Group. “With our approach we want to shape the ‘Factory for tomorrow’ so that we can make our production plants fit for the future.”

In the new production plants in Xiangtan, components and systems for engines, transmissions and chassis systems will be manufactured for the automotive industry. These products ensure reductions in emissions and increased driving comfort. In addition to the technology solutions, the production location will also offer its customers a range of services.

Images: Schaeffler

Groundbreaking ceremony for Schaeffler’s new production plant in Xiangtan, in the Hunan province.

This is what the factory will look like: Schaeffler’s first ever “Factory for tomorrow”.

About Schaeffler

The Schaeffler Group is a global automotive and industrial supplier. Top quality, outstanding technology, and exceptionally innovative spirit form the basis for the continued success of the company. By delivering high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications, as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications, the Schaeffler Group is already shaping “Mobility for tomorrow” to a significant degree. The technology company generated sales of approximately EUR 13.3 billion in 2016. With around 89,400 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world’s largest family companies and, with approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries, has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales companies.

The Industrial division supplies components and systems for around 60 industrial sectors via its worldwide organization with market proximity and its application support service. The range includes miniature bearings only a few millimeters wide through to large-size bearings with an outside diameter of several meters.

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