INA, LuK and FAG at the 3rd International Suppliers¡¯ Exchange (IZB) in Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg, 27.10.2004.The consistent alignment with the suppliers to the car industry and the resonance with the technical specialists attending have contributed to the Suppliers¡¯ Exchange in Wolfsburg gaining a definite place in the diaries of the specialists attending. The Schaeffler Group with its companies INA, LuK and FAG will be represented on a shared stand at the 3rd International Suppliers¡¯ Exchange from 27th ¨C 29th October 2004, which will once again be under the aegis of Francisco Garcia Sanz, Member of the Board of Volkswagen AG, and Wolfsburg¡¯s mayor, Rolf Schnellecke. The attribute ¡°international¡± in the name of this high class event, is well earned since it is characterised by a number of interesting lectures accompanying the event in addition to the presence of a large number of renowned exhibitors. Dr. J¨¹rgen M. Geißinger, Chairman of the Management of the Schaeffler Group, underlines the importance of the IZB for INA, LuK and FAG: ¡°We like to use this platform to present pioneering products such as valve drive components which contribute to reducing emissions and fuel consumption whilst increasing comfort, or extremely interesting concepts such as the twin clutch, to our customers from the Volkswagen Group but also to experts in the industry internationally.¡° The ¡°Volkswagen Group Award¡± demonstrates the innovative strength of the Schaeffler Group in once again honouring the pioneering developments produced by the group of companies. The prestigious award was given to LuK at the beginning of October in Warsaw in the category ¡°Innovation Excellence¡± for the plastic concentric slave cylinder. ¡±The Volkswagen Group Award reflects ability to innovate, technical equipment, competence in project work and methodology plus the quality of the company¡¯s co-operation. We are proud of the fact that we are considered to be a competent, fair and creative system and engineering partner to the automotive industry ¨C this reputation also continues to be an obligation for us,¡± says Dr. J¨¹rgen M. Geißinger. Trade Fair Highlights from the Engine Component, Wheel Bearing and Clutch Systems Sectors The product highlights from INA convince with their quality and compactness on the stand in hall 4/309: Systems are only possible which vary engine performance within a fraction of a second because of innovative engine elements such as valve drive components and camshaft phasers, so that torque can be put ¡°on the road¡± entirely as required and in accordance with consumption. The convincing result of this INA-development: more pleasure when driving combined with lower fuel consumption! Wheel bearings of the 2nd and 3rd generation from FAG Kugelfischer embody two important trends in the development of wheel bearings: In addition to the ¡°modular structure¡±, in which the design elements of the wheel bearing environment are combined with the bearing, FAG is consistently building on linking mechanical and electronic components such as e.g. sensor systems in the wheel bearing which measure wheel and brake forces. In its prototypes for a twin clutch, the LuK Group has underlined its position as one of the trailblazing companies supplying drive train systems. A module is being shown with integrated dampers to reduce vibration and wear adjustment, optimised to fit the space available for the component. The fact that there is no torque interruption increases pleasure in driving and the comfort of the ride ¨C at the same time, the twin clutch leads to advantageous fuel consumption. Fascination Hybrid ¨C the Companies of the Schaeffler Group are on Board too However, the companies of the Schaeffler Group are also present in the area involving innovations in alternative drive systems, the VW Point ¡°Fascination Hybrid¡± in hall 4/115: LuK is showing components for ¡°electrical gearboxes¡±, i.e. actuating elements (actuators), the clutch and the relevant control software for the system plus electrically driven transmission and power-steering pumps. The Joint Venture ContiTech-INA. is represented by a belt-driven starter alternator which is characterised by an adapted, hydraulically damped tensioning system ensuring optimum belt pre-tensioning both in start-up and alternator mode. The Schaeffler Group is aiming for leadership in technology with engine elements or components for manual and automatic transmissions. Good growth has already been achieved and development activities on new innovations are already under way according to Dr. J¨¹rgen M. Geißinger. Neither is the Group ignoring new trends such as hybridisation, a field in which car manufacturers already have successful models, and it is therefore working on developments which will appeal to the markets of the near future. The Schaeffler Group in Figures With more than 57,000 employees at 180 locations worldwide and a group turnover of just under 7 billion Euro (financial year 2003) the Schaeffler Group is a world leader in the manufacture of roller bearings and products for the car industry. The group of companies consists of the INA-Group, based in Herzogenaurach, (needle and ball-bearings, linear systems, engine elements) the FAG Corporation, based in Schweinfurt (roller bearings, mechatronics) plus the LuK Group, based in B¨¹hl (clutches, transmission systems, dual mass flywheels, hydraulic pumps).