In the merger clearance proceedings concerning the takeover of Continental AG, Hanover, the Herzogenaurach-based Schaeffler Group has received the go-ahead from the EU Commission for formally filing the merger notification. Schaeffler Group will submit the documents (Form CO) required for initiating a merger clearance examination today.

To streamline its brand profile in the Automotive and Industrial divisions, the Schaeffler Group will manage all of its friction facing activities exclusively under the LuK brand as of January 1, 2009. This change particularly affects the friction facings previously produced and sold under the Raybestos brand name by Raybestos Industrie-Produkte GmbH in Morbach, Germany, and Raybestos Friction Products (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. in Suzhou, China.

The Schaeffler Group, Herzogenaurach/Germany, has sold its U.S. subsidiary Lacey Manufacturing Inc., Bridgeport/ Connecticut, effective October 31, 2008 to Precision Engineered Products Inc., headquartered in Attleboro/Massachusetts.

The consistent focus on suppliers to the automotive industry as well as the response from specialist audiences has contributed to the fact that the Supplier's Fair in Wolfsburg now has a permanent place in the diaries of its visitors. Schaeffler Group Automotive and its brands INA, LuK, and FAG will once again also be at the Suppliers' Fair from October 29 to 31, 2008 in Hall 4, booth 202.

For the Schaeffler Group with its INA, LuK and FAG brands, a trusting partnership with high performance suppliers is the basis for success and continuous growth. “We are dependent on a partnership with suppliers that functions well”, said Partner Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler at the special Supplier Conference that takes place every two years.