With more than 2,334 patent registrations in 2015, precision bearing and automotive systems manufacturer Schaeffler is Germany’s second most innovative company for the second year in succession according to the DPMA (German Patent and Trademark Office) and therefore one of the leading innovators. Schaeffler identifies key trends at an early stage and defines new technology standards. This corporate culture encourages innovation and is driving forward the research and development of innovative components, modules and systems in focal areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energies, mechatronics and electric mobility. “Innovation is one of the Schaeffler Group’s success factors and ensures our economic success in the long term. The basis for continuous innovation is our network of research and development, which identifies new basic technologies in a worldwide network and uses these to generate and realise ideas for new, customer-relevant products,” emphasises Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Gutzmer, Deputy CEO and Chief Technology Officer at Schaeffler AG, and underlines the connection between practical expertise and scientific research as an important basis of Schaeffler’s innovative strength. Approximately 6,700 employees at 17 R&D centres develop new products, technologies, processes and methods for solutions that are tailored to the market. Schaeffler currently has 24,000 active patents and patent registrations. The company’s main development locations in Germany are Herzogenaurach, Schweinfurt and Bühl, which are linked with further development centres in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. For more information, please contact Schaeffler UK’s Communications & Marketing Department on info.uk@schaeffler.com.