Schaeffler Plans Job Cuts, Site Closures as Auto Demand Falters
The cuts will affect production and research jobs as Schaeffler seeks 300 million euros in annual savings by 2030.
- On March 11, 2026, Schaeffler announced 3,460 job cuts and five site closures by 2028, affecting 3% of its 110,000 global workforce and generating €300 million in annual savings from 2030.
- Management cited a "persistently challenging environment in the automotive industry," noting market downturns, intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers, and weakened demand for internal combustion engines driving the restructuring.
- Three-Fourths of cuts and four site closures will occur in Germany, including Berlin and Dortmund, with the company pointing to "above-average" costs for workers in Europe's top economy and focusing cuts on production and research and development.
- Schaeffler will also shutter a site in Belgium and reduce headcount in France and Slovakia, while offsetting some job losses by creating positions in "future-oriented fields" such as humanoid robotics and defence.
- These reductions mirror broader German automotive industry struggles; Bosch announced 13,000 job cuts last year, while Volkswagen plans to cut around 120,000 jobs by 2030, underscoring the sector's deepening crisis.
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97 Articles
Schaeffler to cut jobs, close five plants in Europe as auto sector gloom deepens
German auto supplier Schaeffler said on Tuesday it would cut 3,460 jobs and close five sites in Europe as it responds to weakened demand for combustion-engine cars, slower-than-expected adoption of electric vehicles and intense competition.
Schaeffler closes a location in Lower Saxony. Now the job reduction is progressing. Four more plants are now threatened with closure.
Restructuring targets net reduction of 2,660 positions in Germany and 800 across rest of Europe by 2028
German auto parts maker Schaeffler plans to cut 3460 jobs at its plants in Europe, including about 2660 in Germany. It will also close five manufacturing plants, including four in Germany. The company also operates in the Czech Republic, for example in Svitavy, Lanškroun or Trutnov.
The German auto and industrial supplier Schaeffler significantly tightens its austerity policy. The company wants to reduce thousands of jobs in Europe and close five locations.
In the information released today, the company makes no reference to its factory in Portugal (Caldas da Rainha), which employs about 500 people.
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