Integrated Automotive Leader Increases Production Capacities In China & Southeast Asia

Phil Black - PII Editor 27/10/2016

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Extension of Nanjing plant and opening in Thailand

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, at the inauguration of the extended plant in Nanjing, China (Photo: Schaeffler AG)

Schaeffler celebrated the opening of new factory halls in China and a new plant in Thailand in traditional local style. By increasing its production volume, Schaeffler is aligning itself ever closer to its Chinese and Asian customer base and also extending its product portfolio.

The Schaeffler Group is continuing its course for growth in China and Asia. By extending its Schaeffler (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. Plant, the location will become a cross-divisional manufacturing site for products ranging from the industrial to the automotive segment. Through the opening of its new plant in Chonburi in Thailand, Schaeffler will also significantly increase its production presence in the Asia/Pacific region. In a first phase, automotive components for engine and transmission applications will be produced there.

The expansion at both locations will enable a marked extension of the product portfolio. “The new factory hall at Nanjing and the new plant in Thailand are of utmost importance for Schaeffler. Because our manufacturing network of now 74 plants is the backbone of our organisation. We will strengthen this backbone even further, laying the basis for future success”, said Georg F. W. Schaeffler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler AG and shareholder of the Schaeffler Group, who attended both opening ceremonies.

Factory hall for 1,000 employees and central warehouse in Nanjing

In his speech at the opening of the new factory hall Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, thanked the Chinese authorities for their support and underlined the special importance of the Greater China region for the Schaeffler Group.

“The Chinese economy is currently undergoing a phase of transformation and expansion. We are facing challenges, but also see opportunities and future growth. Schaeffler will continue to invest in the Chinese market and further develop its sites,”

Rosenfeld said. The new manufacturing hall as well as a new central logistics warehouse in Nanjing have been constructed on a total area of approx. 46,000 square meters. Around 1,000 employees manufacture camshaft phasing units, hydraulic tappets, chains, tensioners and other engine components.

Prepared for future growth with plant in Thailand

In the presence of the Thai Minister of Industry the first proprietary Schaeffler plant in Southeast Asia was inaugurated. Oliver Jung, Chief Operating Officer at Schaeffler, underscored the benefits of the new manufacturing site:

“The local production volume will be expanded, as will the portfolio for automotive applications. Schaeffler is thus enabling its customers even better access to high-quality products and advanced production technologies.”

For Andreas Schick, CEO Schaeffler Asia/Pacific, the new Thai plant is part of the vision to become one of the leading development partners in one of the world’s most important growth markets:

“We will be working even more closely with our customers to be ready for the future growth phase.”

In a first phase 150 employees will be manufacturing clutch disks and clutch pressure plates, mechanical and hydraulic belt tensioners, synchro rings and clutch release systems. The production site has been designed using a modular principle. In the next phase further lines for Schaeffler products and solutions can be added across the entire value added chain of the automotive segment.