Schaeffler Plans Job Cuts, Site Closures as Auto Demand Falters
The German supplier said the restructuring will target production and research roles as it 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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The industrial business and spare parts division support the supplier's results. At the same time, Schaeffler is responding to the crisis in the European automotive business with a further job reduction programme. Five plants are to be closed.
The job reduction raises questions for agricultural technology. At the request of agrartoday Schaeffler comments on possible consequences.
The automotive supplier Schaeffler has announced the closure of five sites and a job reduction.
Demand for vehicles with internal combustion engines is decreasing.
Schaeffler, Volkswagen's supplier, plans to close five units in Europe, in another round of job cuts, while reducing its high-cost operations in Germany. The company will eliminate 3,460 jobs in Europe, about three-quarters of them in Germany, informed the manufacturer of ball bearings and hybrid-electric transmission systems on Tuesday. Four units will be closed in their home country and another in Belgium.
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