Member of the Week 10/17/2022 -- Schaeffler

Pickup trucks remain a top-selling vehicle in the U.S., with much of that production supported out of Schaeffler’s Wooster facility. Every other day Schaeffler converts an Eiffel Tower’s worth of steel into high-precision components used for the automotive industry. Each year, Schaeffler produces 4 million torque converters and continues to be an innovator in the automotive industry as they explore electric mobility and ways to increase efficiency, intelligence, and sustainability in vehicles worldwide.

A GLOBAL FOOTPRINT
THAT INCLUDES WOOSTER

Headquartered in Germany, Schaeffler Group has a global network of manufacturing locations, R&D facilities and sales offices that total nearly 200 locations in over 50 countries. 

In 1977, the Wooster location began as a 32,000-square-foot facility for the production of manual clutches. As the demand from consumers shifted away from manual vehicles, Schaeffler had to pivot and began manufacturing products for automatic transmissions.

Schaeffler has continued to expand its Wooster location and remains one of the area’s largest employers with around 1,700 employees. Through many years of working closely with all of the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), Wooster has continued to prove that it is technically capable of producing the innovative and precise products necessary to continue its advancement in the automotive industry.

“People that come to Wooster, many have a background in farming and working hard and there is a finite amount of time to bring projects into production. There is never changing the end date. The people in this community, the hard work that they put in, lends itself well to deliver products and that has been recognized.” said Chris Shamie, Vice President - Hybrid Drives, eAxles and PMO.

AN EYE ON THE FUTURE

Schaeffler continues to evolve with the demands of the automotive industry. As they once shifted from manual to automatic transmissions they are now developing and innovating for the future of electric vehicles. The Wooster facility has grown to 850,000 square feet with expansion expected to continue. Wooster currently has the capability to convert most existing vehicles to electric. They are invested in everything responsible for motion including the entire eAxle, which is responsible for moving the entire electric vehicle, gearboxes, hybrid systems, batteries, and more.

“Schaeffler is becoming completely vertically integrated or a well-rounded supplier that will supply the whole system that will move the electric vehicles,” said Jon Jameson, Senior Vice President Global Key Account Manager GM & Allison Transmission.

Schaeffler and the Wooster facility are one of the biggest competitors in the electric eAxle market.

“Wooster is becoming a technical headquarters in the U.S., but also in the world for the electric eAxles,” Jameson said.

Hybrids are the middle step between automatic transmission and all electric vehicles. Ford approached Schaeffler with the need for a special torque converter. Wooster took on the need and went further to develop an entire module that is more compact and more effective. Wooster’s Schaeffler location has completely designed, developed, tested and is now manufacturing the entire module that powers Ford’s vehicles on its first e-Mobility production line.

The Ford F-150 PowerBoost uses the technology developed and produced in Schaeffler’s Wooster facility to not only deliver a hybrid pickup truck but also the capability of a mobile power source. The truck is capable of powering tools from reciprocating saws to air compressors and recreational items from TVs to Microwaves.

Schaeffler is positioned to be fully invested in electric vehicles if that is what is selling in the market, but they are still positioned to continue producing parts for combustion engines and transmissions if that’s the route the market goes.

INVESTED IN TRAINING AND EDUCATION

In 1980, the Tool and Die Apprenticeship Program was launched in Wooster giving employees the training to develop and maintain tools for manufacturing. The goal of this program is to enhance the skilled trades. Many start the program in high school and work their 10,000 hours split between work in the facility and course instruction. Upon completion of the program, they receive a journeyman card with Schaeffler’s program being recognized as the largest in the state of Ohio. In the lab, they are provided small versions of the same technology used in production to train on and learn the programming and repairing of robots. Apprentices range from students enrolled at the area Career Centers to other high school students and anyone looking for a career change. There is zero cost to the apprentice to be enrolled in the program and they are given the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree from the University of Akron. Throughout the program they receive pay raises every 1,000 hours if they are learning, growing, and evolving in the program, full benefits, 401K, and vacation. Schaeffler’s apprenticeship program sets them on a career path for a long-term career.

Schaeffler is proud of the success of its co-op program, which ranges from 60-100 students working and earning college credit at the same time. This program is designed to continue to grow Schaeffler’s engineering and has seen its CEO, CTO and many others start their careers at Schaeffler out of this program.

Schaeffler is a career-minded organization with an atmosphere of hiring from within and elevating people from entry-level positions all the way up.