Schaeffler: 3,460 Jobs to Be Cut – Five Site Closures Planned in Europe

Automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler is planning another restructuring programme. The company intends to cut a net total of 3,460 jobs across Europe, including around 2,660 in Germany and 800 in other European countries. Of the 16 sites affected, five are to be closed, including four in Germany. From 2030 onwards, the Group expects annual earnings improvements of approximately €300 million.

According to the company, Schaeffler is responding to declining demand in the internal combustion engine business, the slower-than-expected ramp-up of electric mobility and increasing competitive pressure. The programme includes reducing excess capacity in production and development, lowering personnel costs and simplifying the organisational structure. The measures will primarily affect the automotive original equipment business.

Advert

Site Closures and Capacity Adjustments
In Germany, the plants in Dortmund, which currently employs around 430 people, and Morbach, with approximately 160 employees, are to be closed. Both sites belong to the "Powertrain & Chassis" division and manufacture components for internal combustion engines. Operations in Berlin, employing around 270 people, are also to be discontinued. The Schwalbach site is likewise to be closed. Most of its approximately 385 employees are expected to relocate to Frankfurt, while around 190 jobs in Schwalbach will be affected by the cuts.

In addition, Schaeffler plans to discontinue toolmaking operations in Höchstadt. Adjustments are planned in special-purpose machinery manufacturing in Erlangen and Schweinfurt, as well as at other sites in Herzogenaurach, Bühl, Höchstadt, Nuremberg and Regensburg. Outside Germany, Schaeffler intends to adjust production and development capacities in Haguenau and Toulouse in France, as well as in Skalica and Kysuce in Slovakia. The production site in Herstal, Belgium, which employs around 15 people, is also scheduled for closure.

Focus on Production and Development
Around 50 percent of the job cuts will affect production, 30 percent research and development, and 20 percent other functions. According to the company, the planned reductions in Germany represent approximately nine percent of its permanent workforce in the country, which totalled 31,957 employees as of 30 September 2026. Including previous workforce reduction programmes and already agreed partial retirement arrangements, the proportion cited by Schaeffler rises to around 18 percent.

The structural measures are expected to be implemented primarily in 2027 and 2028. Schaeffler intends to negotiate with employee representatives and aims to carry out the restructuring in a socially responsible manner.

One-Off Restructuring Costs of €480 Million Expected
Schaeffler estimates that the new programme will generate annual earnings improvements of approximately €300 million from 2030 onwards. This will be offset by expected one-off restructuring costs of around €480 million. The majority of these costs are expected to be recognised as provisions as early as 2026.

In addition, a temporary, voluntary salary reduction scheme is planned, starting with the Executive Board and extending to all management and employee levels. The details have yet to be agreed with the relevant bodies. The measure is intended to reduce personnel costs in 2027 and 2028 and limit the extent of the job cuts.

The new programme follows the measures announced in 2024 to eliminate 4,700 jobs on a gross basis, as well as 1,768 additional partial retirement agreements announced by Schaeffler in October 2026. At the same time, the Group plans to expand into new business areas, particularly humanoid robotics and the defence industry. According to the company, this is intended to offset at least part of the workforce reductions through the creation of new jobs.

More information: www.schaeffler.com

Schaeffler AG, Herzogenaurach, Germany

back to news list