Message from the Shareholders

As a global technology company, the Schaeffler Group is actively shaping the far-reaching transformation of mobility and energy systems sustainably, innovatively, excellently, and passionately. These core values have always given our family business a foothold and also give us a basis and orientation for responsible corporate governance in turbulent times.

For us, responsibility means keeping the company on course in the face of dynamic market developments, continuing to grow profitably, securing jobs, and at the same time being environmentally friendly. Our role as family shareholders is to create the conditions for this – economically as well as idealistically.

We are currently seeing how mobility needs and demands are changing worldwide. That means that we too will have to change and stay in constant motion. We are doing this with determination. The Schaeffler Group has the expertise and experience to continue sustainably helping its customers – automobile manufacturers and industrial companies in other industries – succeed with innovative, excellent products and solutions in their markets. To this end, we consistently invest in new technologies and the highest quality from the component to the complete system to service. In this way, Schaeffler will contribute to making the mobility of tomorrow more climate-friendly, safer and more efficient for everyone involved.

Against this background, in our supervisory role we are primarily responsible for ensuring that future-oriented corporate decisions are made while keeping risks manageable. Therefore, in addition to organic growth, we are also focusing on targeted acquisitions in order to expand our systems expertise. An example of the Schaeffler Group’s outstanding innovative drive is the number of patent registrations that increased once again: In 2018, the group registered 2,417 patents. Our diverse innovations in eco-friendly drives or in the energy chain are honored by our customers with numerous awards.

We also place high demands on our own processes and those of our suppliers. We are committed to ethical principles and ensure that they are lived throughout the company and in our supply chain. We train our employees worldwide in handling the Schaeffler codes of conduct both digitally and directly on site with proven compliance experts. In addition, we comply with demanding environmental and social standards. For example, all Chinese production sites have now achieved certification according to the new ISO standard 45001 for occupational safety. Purchasers at our Chinese sites have also begun to establish new, comprehensive standards for supplier audits on environmental, human, and labor rights.

We offer our employees attractive working conditions and diverse development opportunities worldwide because we know that the sustainable success of the Schaeffler Group depends on the skill and creativity of each individual. We would also like to express our great appreciation to you, the employees of the Schaeffler Group, for your commitment and your contributions. Together, we will continue to create added value for you and for all our stakeholders in the future.

We hope you enjoy reading our sustainability report.

Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann

Georg F. W. Schaeffler