1985

On the occasion of launching the company on the stock market, voting stock is offered at a nominal value of a total of 80 million DM from the share capital of 165 million DM. The share purchase price of a 50 DM share is set at 310 DM.
51.5% of the share capital and therefore, the majority of the shares remain the property of the Schäfer family.

1986

In Schweinfurt, a flexible central heat treatment system for rolling bearing rings is put into operation. As well as implementing modern heat treatment methods, the new heat treat department takes process safety, maintenance and environmental issues into consideration.

1989

A modern storage and distribution center opens in Mississauga, Ontario in order to supply the Canadian market quickly and efficiently with FAG bearings. An Engineering and Sales Office responsible for Canada is added.

1990

A new bearing ring forge is put into operation in the Schweinfurt plant. The forge processes 300 metric tons of steel every working day, producing 240,000 drop-forge parts and 60,000 rolling bearing rings.

1990

In the Joplin plant and in Schweinfurt, new production lines for wheel bearing units, so-called hub units, go into operation.

1990

FAG acquires The Barden Corporation, an American precision bearing manufacturer based in Danbury, Connecticut. This secures FAG’s position on the North-American market.

1990

FAG Kugelfischer takes over DKF Deutsche Kugellagerfabriken AG in Chemnitz, with eight plants in the new Federal states producing rolling bearings and rolling bearing components. The redevelopment plan up to 1995 involves investments of a total of 350 million DM.
DKF’s markets in East Germany and Eastern Europe collapse and DKF becomes FAG’s main loss-maker. The company is on the brink of collapse.

1993

Focus is turned to the main business of rolling bearings and the company is restructured. The radiometry, radiation metrology, hydraulics and control engineering, spindle units, brake hydraulics, abrasive wheels, measuring technology and textile machinery accessories manufacturing sectors and plants are all sold. The new customer-oriented company structure is reflected in the business units: automotive, industrial bearings, components as well as aerospace together with precision bearings.

1994

FAG supplies new bearings for the high-pressure turbo pumps for the Space Shuttle’s rocket propulsion.

1996

Integrated bearing units made by FAG that have low component volume and therefore lead to lower weight and lower operating costs, come into operation in civil aviation for the first time.

1998

A complex testing system for wheelset bearing application testing for rail vehicles is put into operation. Drive operation simulations for high-speed trains can also be carried out on this test stand, which is the world’s most modern test stand.

1999

FAG makes a breakthrough in the field of mechatronics bearings. Approval is given for volume production for FAG mechatronic sensor bearings in converter-controlled asynchronous motors for electrical vehicle drives. Mechatronic bearings enable electric drives to be controlled and monitored in the smallest of design spaces.

2000

The Millennium Wheel, also called The London Eye, the world’s largest and heaviest Ferris wheel is put into operation. The wheel is 135m high, has a circumference of 424m and a total weight of 2,100 metric tons. Two spherical roller bearings several meters wide and weighing several tonnes from FAG ensure the wheel turns smoothly.

2002

E1 spherical roller bearing.
They combine 90 years of experience with the latest developments in the areas of kinematics, materials and production methods.

2002

FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schäfer AG, Schweinfurt is taken over by INA-Holding Schaeffler KG. Together, INA and FAG become the world’s second largest rolling bearing manufacturer.

2003

INA, FAG and LuK make up the “Schaeffler Group”.

2003

INA and FAG decide on joint operations in the industrial sector. 2003 sees the first joint appearance of the Schaeffler Group at a trade show at the Hannover Messe Industrie.

2003

INA/FAG launch premium range of bearings: X-life.

2003

100% stake in FAG Bearings Korea.

2003

The Schaeffler Group Automotive research center opens in Troy (USA).

2005

Linear products as well as components for mechanical engineering and the automotive industry are manufactured in the new plant in Brasov (Romania).

2005

Maiden flight of the Airbus A380 with FAG bearings.
FAG supplies all engine bearing supports and numerous components for the Rolls Royce “Trent 900” engines for the world’s largest passenger aircraft.

2005

The FAG brand celebrates its 100th anniversary.

2006

The german FAG Kugelfischer AG & Co. oHG and the INA-Schaeffler KG are integrated in the Schaeffler Group.

2006

The first joint main catalog of the INA and FAG brands is published. The 1,500-page compendium comprises approximately 40,000 standard products.

2006

More than 100 customers from all over Europe visit the 2006 Innovation Days of Schaeffler Group Industrial in Schweinfurt.

2006

The Schaeffler Group establishes a “Schaeffler Endowed Chair for Automotive Engineering” at Tongji University in Shanghai.

2007

Joint action by INA, FAG and SKF in the fight against product piracy at FAG in Schweinfurt. Around 40 tons of counterfeit rolling bearings are destroyed.

2007

Hannover Messe Industrie. Among others, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal Minister for Economics Michael Glos visit the booth of Schaeffler KG, which measures 930 m².

2007

Inauguration of the new R&D Center in Anting/China and the second plant in Taicang.

2007

With the help of FAG bearings (cylindrical roller bearings, four point contact bearings and tapered roller bearings in traction motors and gearboxes), the V 150 high-speed train sets a new world record by travelling at 574.8 kilometers an hour.

2007

Inauguration of the new FAG plant in Debrecen/Hungary.

2007

Federal President Horst Koehler awards the 1st Class Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler.