Press and IR Release 
 
Automated and Digitalized: Schaeffler Opens New Tool Technology Center

HERZOGENAURACH/HÖCHSTADT, 2022-05-03. 
· 	Investment to the tune of tens of millions strengthens tool expertise in Germany, allowing innovative products to be manufactured 
· 	Tool Technology Center in Höchstadt produces precision tools for global Schaeffler locations 
· 	“Bits meet metal”: Automated, digitalized manufacturing significantly increases the competitiveness of toolmaking
 
The automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler has opened a state-of-the-art Tool Technology Center at its facility in Höchstadt an der Aisch in Germany. Precision tools for the global Schaeffler production network will be manufactured over 8,000 m² of floor space, particularly for the strategic future target areas of e-mobility and robotics, but also for mechatronic chassis applications. “Schaeffler’s outstanding capabilities in toolmaking are now being given a new dimension in both technical and structural terms with the Tool Technology Center. Against the backdrop of the technological changes of our time, this is of outstanding importance,” says Georg F. W. Schaeffler, Family Shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler AG. In total, the company has made a multi-million investment in the Tool Technology Center. “Manufacturing excellence and innovative tool technologies are an integral part of the Schaeffler DNA and have played a major role in the successful business development of the Automotive Technologies and Industrial divisions for more than 75 years,” explains Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG. “The new Tool Technology Center, a unique selling proposition of Schaeffler across all sectors, unites this expertise at a single location and is the driving force for future technologies, true to our motto: ‘We pioneer motion’.” Since September 2021 around 100 pieces of machinery have been brought together in an existing hall at the Höchstadt site. They are used among other things to produce punches and dies which, combined as assemblies, are used for punching and forming strip steel. 
 
Reinforcing tool expertise 
The Tool Technology Center in Höchstadt includes a 7,000 m²-large manufacturing area and more than 1,000 m² of office space, thus making a significant contribution to Schaeffler’s expertise in tool technology. “Grouping our expertise together in Höchstadt is allowing Schaeffler to unite development, production, and tool manufacture at a single site so as to be in the best possible position to meet future customer requirements,” comments Andreas Schick, Chief Operating Officer at Schaeffler AG. Automation and digitalization mean that high machine capacity utilization is possible at all times. This results in highly efficient, profitable operation of toolmaking in Germany, a country well-known for its technological prowess.” High-precision tools will be developed and manufactured at the toolmaking site, which in turn will facilitate volume production of top quality products. Technologies such as aluminum die casting, plastic injection molding or die-cut stacking are critical to success, particularly in e-mobility, as other types of material need to be processed apart from steel. 
 
“Three fully automatic robot lines and 50 processing machines that are digitally linked are among the technological highlights in the Tool Technology Center at Höchstadt,” adds Wilfried Schwenk, Head of Global Tool Technology at Schaeffler. “The machinery includes a state-of-the-art press with servo drive and a maximum pressing force of up to 630 tons. This press is used to map all requirements, for example with regard to installation space and other technical properties, for all of our customers’presses.” The Tool Technology Center is also capitalizing on digital solutions: In the future, using “model-based definition”will be key. It is a method for describing all production and process-relevant information directly on the 3D CAD model. Here, all data for digital processes is available from a single source, significantly reducing development times. 
*** 
Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion: The Schaeffler Group has been driving forward groundbreaking inventions and developments in the field of motion technology for over 75 years. With innovative technologies, products, and services for electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis solutions, and renewable energies, the company is a reliable partner for making motion more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable – over the entire life cycle. Schaeffler describes its comprehensive range of products and services by means of eight product families: from bearing solutions and all types of linear guidance systems through to repair and monitoring services. With around 120,000 employees and more than 250 locations in 55 countries, Schaeffler is one of the world’s largest family-owned companies and ranks among Germany’s most innovative companies. 

================================================================
 
Hans-Jürgen Ritter, Campus Manager at Schaeffler Höchstadt, Gerald Brehm, First Mayor of the city of Höchstadt, Wilfried Schwenk, head of Tool Technology at Schaeffler AG, Joachim Herrmann, Bavarian Minister of the Interior, Sport, and Integration, Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, Georg F. W. Schaeffler, Family Shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler AG, and Andreas Schick, Chief Operating Officer of Schaeffler AG, (from left) opened the new technology center and put an automated hard machining line into operation. 
 
Download
 
Several automated robot lines are among the technological highlights in the new Tool Technology Center. 
 
Download

 
================================================================

 
CONTACT:

Dr. Axel Lüdeke 
Head of Group Communications & Public Affairs 
Schaeffler AG 
Herzogenaurach 
Germany
Tel. +49  9132 82 8901
E-Mail: axel.luedeke@schaeffler.com
---------------------------------------------------------

 
Daniel Pokorny 
Head of Communications Technology, Innovation & Digitalization 
Schaeffler AG 
Herzogenaurach 
Germany
Tel. +49  9132 82 88708
E-Mail: daniel.pokorny@schaeffler.com
---------------------------------------------------------

 
Renata Casaro 
Head of Investor Relations 
Schaeffler AG 
Herzogenaurach 
Germany
Tel. +49  9132 82 4440
E-Mail: ir@schaeffler.com
---------------------------------------------------------

 
Johann Eisenmann 
Senior Manager Investor Relations 
Schaeffler AG 
Herzogenaurach 
Germany
Tel. +49  9132 82 4440
E-Mail: ir@schaeffler.com
---------------------------------------------------------