The automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler announces massive downsizing in Schweinfurt. Almost 600 jobs will be eliminated. Administration and indirect areas are particularly affected. At the same time, the company is relocating a production facility from North Rhine-Westphalia to Franconia. While new jobs will be created in Schweinfurt, the overall job losses will significantly outweigh the benefits. (infranken: 27.08.25)
Agreements at the Schweinfurt site
Management and employee representatives agreed on a package of measures aimed at securing competitiveness. “The agreements signed in July 2025 provide for the elimination of around 590 jobs,” a statement reads. Around 5,100 people are employed in Schweinfurt. The planned job cuts primarily affect administration and indirect areas.
Despite the reduction, the relocation from North Rhine-Westphalia will create more than 100 new jobs. Nevertheless, the loss remains significant. For the region, the decision means new uncertainty, while many employees in Schweinfurt will have to reevaluate their future.
Plant Closure in North Rhine-Westphalia
The plant in Steinhagen will close by the end of 2026. Around 200 employees manufacture spherical plain bearings for industrial applications there. This production is relocating to Schweinfurt. Since sales there have been declining for years, the Board of Management decided to close the plant.
This step will bring severe cuts to East Westphalia. All local jobs will be lost. While Schweinfurt will gain new opportunities, the overall balance of job cuts remains negative.
Previous Announcements from Herzogenaurach
Schaeffler announced far-reaching cuts back in November 2024. CEO Klaus Rosenfeld stated: “If you delay structural adjustments – we see this with others – you will be forced to take radical measures later.” This underscored the pressure on the company.
Works council chairman Jürgen Schenk also mentioned a reduction starting in mid-2025. He spoke of 4,700 jobs, 2,800 of which would be in Germany. This figure highlighted the extent of the job losses.
Net reductions remain high
Although some of the jobs are being transferred to other countries, the net reduction is 3,700. The works council predicted around 700 job losses for Schweinfurt.
The current figures confirm this concern. Even if the number is somewhat lower, the reduction remains significant. Schweinfurt is bearing a large share of the cuts. This increases job losses in Germany. The far-reaching job cuts underscore the structural change the industry is currently experiencing.