Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler Named German-Brazilian Personality of the Year

2013-05-14 | HERZOGENAURACH

• Recognition of services to Brazil’s economic development and to strengthening German-Brazilian relations
• Ceremony during the German-Brazilian Economic Forum in São Paulo, Brazil
• Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler: “Confirmation of the outstanding achievements of our company in Brazil during the last 55 years”

Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler, partner of Schaeffler AG, was named "Brazilian-German Personality 2013" in a ceremony in São Paulo. By presenting this award, the German Chamber of Commerce (AHK) is honoring Mrs. Schaeffler's services to Brazil's economic development and to strengthening German-Brazilian relations. The award ceremony took place yesterday during the opening of the German-Brazilian Economic Forum in Brazil's largest city.

Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler: "This award means a great deal to me, particularly due to my emotional bonds to Brazil, to whose economic history the Schaeffler Group has also made a contribution. I also consider this award to be confirmation and recognition for the outstanding achievements of our company in Brazil during the last 55 years. I would like to thank you very much for this honor, which will be an incentive for me and my employees to continue our strategy for innovation and growth."

Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler was born in Prague and grew up in Vienna. She moved to Herzogenaurach, Germany after marrying Dr. Georg Schaeffler in 1963 and successfully continued his life's work following his death in 1996. The sales figures and number of employees worldwide have more than tripled since Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler and her son Georg F.W. Schaeffler took over responsibility for the company in 1996.

Schaeffler with its product brands INA, LuK and FAG is a leading provider of rolling bearing and plain bearing solutions and of linear and direct drive technology, as well as a renowned supplier to the automotive industry of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions, and chassis applications. The globally active group of companies generated sales of approximately 11.1 billion euros in 2012. With approximately 76,000 employees worldwide, Schaeffler is one of the largest German and European industrial companies in family ownership. With 180 locations in over 50 countries, Schaeffler has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, sales companies, engineering offices, and training centers.

The Schaeffler Group has been present in Brazil since 1958. The company with its three product brands INA, LuK and FAG employs around 4,300 employees at its Sorocaba location. This plant manufactures a large number of engine and drive components for the automotive industry such as clutches and clutch accessories, belt drive components and valve lash adjustment elements as well as wheel bearings and wheel bearing kits. Products for heavy industry as well as the railway and aerospace sectors are also produced.

Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler receives the award from Thomas Schmal, President of the German-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce São Paulo, and Dr. Reinhold Festge, Chairman of the Latin America Initiative of German Business (LAI), and Volker Treier, Vice President of the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).

The German-Brazilian Personality Award was created in 1995 by an initiative of the German-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, São Paulo, with the support of the Council of German Chambers of Commerce in Brazil and the DIHK. The award ceremony takes place in both countries on an alternating basis and traditionally opens the German-Brazilian Economic Forum, which is being held for the 31st time this year. Alongside Mrs. Schaeffler, Décio da Silva, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of WEG S.A., was voted Brazilian personality of the year.