Schaeffler Group Reorganizes Industrial Operations of FAG and INA

The Schaeffler Group (Germany) has completed the restructuring of its industrial (all non-automotive) product division, including INA and FAG bearing divisions and LuK. The company has also completed a series of executive appointments and reassignments. The industrial market operations of both bearing divisions -- INA and FAG, within the Schaeffler Group Industrial Division -- have been integrated and consolidated. As a result, INA, FAG and Luk all now have identical organizational structures. The company said, "These personnel changes complete the reorganization process in the Industrial Division. It is particularly in this division that FAG's and INA's product ranges complement each other in an ideal way, offering benefits to the customer. Four group-wide application groups have been implemented: production machinery, heavy machinery, power transmission and rail technology as well as consumer products. Sales have also been consolidated." On March 1, Robert Schullan was appointed Chairman of the Board of FAG Kugelfischer AG, replacing Dr. Jurgen Geissinger, who assumes the duties of chairman of FAG's supervisory board. Dr. Geissinger remains President and CEO of both FAG and INA. Mr Schullan joined INA in 1985 and was most recently responsible for all of FAG's industrial sales efforts. "In bringing these resources together, we wanted to consolidate our expertise and offer our customers even better support and service," said Mr. Schullan. "Our experience has been extraordinarily positive." Assuming responsibilities for Engineering for the entire Schaeffler Group Industrial Division and the FAG Wheel Bearing Business Unit is Hans-Jurgen Goslar. Mr. Goslar comes to the company from Continental Teves AG, where he was VP of automotive brake systems for the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Goslar has also been appointed a member of the board of FAG and an executive vice president of INA. Other new appointments to FAG's board include Dirk Fellermann for Finance and Klaus Widmaier for Human Resources. John McClosky, said the company, will continue to head the Aerospace / Superprecision division. Dr. Geissinger said, "In creating this powerful organization we will be able to add significant muscle to our global competitive capabilities, which is characterized by structural changes. The new Schaeffler Group structure has clear organizational responsibilities for all member companies, and this is the basis for our global efforts to strengthen our innovative power, flexibility and speed."