Schaeffler Group

Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, also known as Schaeffler Group ("Schaeffler-Gruppe" in German), is a German manufacturer of rolling element bearings for automotive, aerospace and industrial uses. It was founded in 1946 by brothers Dr. Wilhelm and Dr.-Ing. E. h. Georg Schaeffler.
In August 2008 the firm agreed to a staggered €12 billion acquisition of larger rival Continental AG, whereby Schaeffler would defer taking a majority stake until at least 2012. However, in 2011 Schaeffler sold off €1.8 billion worth of shares of Continental, reducing its stake from 75.1% to 60.3%. Currently, the company owns 46% of Continental shares. Schaeffler Group also owns the brands INA, FAG and LuK.
In Germany, the main brands of the Schaeffler Group – INA, FAG and LuK – are marketed by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG and LuK GmbH & Co. oHG.
World War II.
During the 2008 merger, the company revealed that in World War II it had exploited thousands of slave labourers in its plants in German-occupied Poland. Around this time the director of the museum now standing at the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp claimed that after the war of human hair had been found at Schaeffler factories, and had been used in upholstery in its automotive products. The historian at Schaeffler denied this particular allegation.