Frankfurt (Germany) (AFP) – German equipment manufacturer Schaeffler announced Tuesday the elimination of 3,460 jobs in Europe, more than three quarters of which in Germany, as well as the closure of five sites on the Old Continent, in the face of the crisis shaking the automobile industry.

Published on: 03/11/2026 - 12:29

In a press release, the company, which employs 110,000 people worldwide, justified this new program of cuts in its workforce by increased competition, a slowdown in demand for thermal vehicles and the delay in electromobility.

The European automotive sector faces fierce competition from China, which is squeezing its margins and weighing on its profits.

In detail, 2,660 jobs must be cut in Germany, or 9% of the total workforce in this country, and around 800 in the rest of Europe, Schaeffler said.

Combining previous workforce reduction programs and recently signed pre-retirement contracts, the decline in workforce would reach around 18% by 2028.

In a joint statement, the IG Metall union and the Schaeffler works council said the cuts were "not a concept for the future for Germany".

“Anyone who constantly launches new workforce reduction programs, closes sites and wants to reduce personnel costs is not strengthening the Germany site, he is weakening it,” lamented Uli Schöpplein, chairman of the works council.

According to the Herzogenaurach group (south), half of the cuts affect production, 30% research and development, and 20% other functions.

Of the 16 European sites affected by these cuts, 4 must close in Germany, in Berlin, Dortmund, Morbach and Schwalbach, and one in Belgium.

The group also said it wanted to make 300 million euros in savings per year from 2030.

The implementation of all the measures announced will mainly take place over 2027 and 2028, according to Schaeffler.

According to the company, these announcements are part of a strategy of “diversification” of its activities.

Schaeffler assured that “at least part of the job losses should be compensated by the creation of positions in new growth sectors”.

Quoted in the press release, Jochen Schröder, member of the board responsible in particular for production, mentioned “humanoid robotics” and “defense”.

Schaeffler, for example, announced in October that it was going to assemble drones for the French army.

© 2026 AFP

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