On November 1, Schaeffler Taicang Manufacturing Base New Energy Plant II was officially opened in Taicang High-tech Zone. As one of Schaeffler’s key investment projects in China, the opening of the second phase of the plant will further enhance the company’s local production capacity in China, accelerate the development of new energy vehicle business, and better serve China’s local customers and markets.

Mr. George F.W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler Group, Mr. Madis Zink, CEO of Automotive Technology Division, Dr. Zhang Yilin, CEO of China, Dr. Chen Xiangbin, President of Automotive Technology Division of China, Liu Xiaotao, Member of the Standing Committee of Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee, Wang Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee, Minister of United Front Work Department and Secretary General of Suzhou Municipal Party Committee, Wang Xiangyuan, Secretary of Taicang Municipal Party Committee and other relevant leaders and guests attended the opening ceremony.

The Schaeffler Group family shareholders, representatives of the Schaeffler Group and the management in China, and relevant leaders of the Suzhou and Taicang municipal governments attended the opening ceremony

At the opening ceremony of the second phase of the new energy plant, Schaeffler signed an investment agreement with the Taicang High-tech Zone for the third phase of the new energy project, continuing to increase its new energy business and expand its investment in China.

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In his speech, Mr. George F.W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler, reviewed the development of Schaeffler’s investment in Taicang, expressed his gratitude to the government, and stressed the importance of the Chinese market to the Schaeffler Group and its commitment to long-term development in China. Dr. Zhang Yilin, Chief Executive Officer of Schaeffler China, said that Schaeffler is always optimistic about the development of China and Taicang, and continues to increase investment in new energy business to contribute to the high-quality development of the real economy.

Wang Xiangyuan, secretary of the Municipal Party Committee of Taicang, said that he will, as always, support the development of Schaeffler and other enterprises in Taicang, provide accurate and efficient services, and provide high-quality living environment and cultural, medical and educational conditions for enterprise employees, so that the hand of Taicang and Schaeffler is getting tighter and deeper and deeper.

The second phase of the new Energy plant is located in the new Schaeffler Taicang manufacturing base on Beijing Road, Taicang High-tech Zone, mainly engaged in the production and manufacturing of core components of new energy vehicles such as motor stators and rotors. As an important extension of the phase I new energy plant of Schaeffler Taicang Suzhou Road, after the opening of the Phase II plant, Schaeffler will form a full range of new energy electric drive product production capacity in Taicang, including hybrid modules, drive motors and their components and a complete set of electric drive axle, laying a solid foundation for the growth of new energy business.

Aerial view of the new Schaeffler Taicang manufacturing site

As one of the global digital benchmark factories of Schaeffler, the New Energy Plant II aims to build an end-to-end digital factory, and fully realizes digital and intelligent upgrading through advanced technologies such as data control center, paperless operation, AGV logistics and transportation, and AI inspection. In addition, the second plant also adheres to the concept of sustainable development, through waste heat recovery, rainwater collection, waste water utilization, intelligent lighting, rooftop photovoltaic power generation and other measures, from the plant construction, production process optimization, energy use and management, in the whole life cycle of project design, construction and operation, are committed to creating a green, low-carbon, intelligent and environmentally friendly modern factory.

The contracted new energy Phase III project covers an area of about 70,000 square meters, with an investment of 200 million euros (about 1.5 billion yuan), focusing on the field of new energy electric drive, covering the production and manufacturing of new energy vehicle products such as wheel motors, bridge reduction boxes, and hybrid gearboxes, as well as supporting facilities such as logistics warehousing.

Since its entry into China in 1995, Schaeffler has continued to promote its localization strategy and has become an important supplier and partner of the Chinese automotive industry. Schaeffler will continue to deepen its presence in China, serve the local market and respond more quickly and flexibly to the needs of local customers.