Schaeffler plant in Gunzenhausen wins award for occupational safety from Employers’ Liability Association for the Wood and Metal Industries (BGHM)

2025-03-11 | Frankfurt

• The German Employers’ Liability Association for the Wood and Metal Industries honors the Schaeffler plant in Gunzenhausen, Germany, for exemplary occupational safety
• Innovative safety initiatives and a comprehensive, sustainable prevention culture are awarde
• Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions makes long-term investments in safe and healthy working conditions

Great success for the Schaeffler plant in Gunzenhausen: The German Employers’ Liability Association for the Wood and Metal Industries (Berufsgenossenschaft Holz und Metall, BGHM in short) honors the location for its outstanding commitment to occupational safety. With the “Clever Fox - Culture of Prevention” (German: Schlauer Fuchs - Kultur der Prävention) trophy, it recognizes the sustainable further development of the safety culture at the plant.

Occupational safety is a top priority for Schaeffler to promote a sustainable and responsible corporate culture. The Gunzenhausen location, part of Schaeffler's Vehicle Lifetime Solutions (VLS) division since 2024, is setting new standards for the protection and health of its employees with its initiatives.

Focus on employee health

This is also confirmed by Eduardo Sack, Senior Vice President Operations & Supply Chain Management at Schaeffler VLS: “This award recognizes the dedication of our team in Gunzenhausen and reflects the high priority that occupational safety has throughout our organization.”

The Employers’ Liability Association states: „With this award, we would like to honor the Schaeffler plant in Gunzenhausen for its outstanding work over many years in the areas of leadership, communication, participation, error culture, working atmosphere and health and safety protection.“

Recognition for exemplary safety culture at Schaeffler

The BGHM awards the “Clever Fox - Culture of Prevention” prize for successful individual projects, including the innovative occupational safety bonus program and the comprehensive safety concept at Schaeffler's Gunzenhausen site. The aim of the program, which has been running since 2024, is to actively motivate employees to work safely and at the same time strengthen the sense of community. Teams that adhere to safety standards in a particularly exemplary manner are rewarded with bonuses.

Only a maximum of ten companies are honored with the “Clever Fox - Culture of Prevention” award each year. This highest award in the field is based on a comprehensive assessment of the working environment, safety communication and working atmosphere by the BGHM.

Occupational safety as a central component of the Schaeffler strategy

Investing in safety measures is a central component of the long-term corporate strategy at the Schaeffler plant in Gunzenhausen. In addition to the occupational safety bonus program, several initiatives such as emergency call pillars, regular ‘EHS talks’ (environment, health and safety) and ideas competitions help to continuously improve the safety culture.

The “Clever Fox - Culture of Prevention” award emphasizes the company's commitment to establishing safety measures not just selectively, but as a lived corporate culture that encompasses all areas.

About Schaeffler VLS and the Gunzenhausen plant

The Gunzenhausen plant has been fully under the responsibility of Schaeffler's Vehicle Lifetime Solutions (VLS) division of Schaeffler's Automotive Technologies division since 1 January 2024. It is the company's first own plant for spare parts and specializes in small series production for the global market.

This strategic decision enables Schaeffler to adapt to changing market conditions and further expand its leading position in the spare parts market.