Innovation Day 2023”: Schaeffler strengthens technology network in Saarland

Schaeffler brings together companies, universities and politics at the "Innovation Day 2023" on the Homburg campus

Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger emphasizes the importance of innovations for the state of Saarland

Schaeffler is specifically strengthening the Homburg campus in the areas of automation and digitalization

The automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler held its "Innovation Day 2023" at the Homburg campus. At the event, representatives from companies, universities and politics met to discuss the strengths and opportunities of the Saarland region and to strengthen the network in a targeted manner. Fritz Borntr?ger, head of the Homburg campus, welcomed guests of honor including Anke Rehlinger, Prime Minister of the Saarland, and Uwe Wagner, Head of Research and Development at Schaeffler AG.

"Innovative and sustainable technologies are of crucial importance in order to make the transformation successful," said Uwe Wagner in his keynote speech in front of around 50 participants. "With a strong partnership network, Schaeffler will strengthen its innovative strength in the Saarland region and beyond." A clear focus is necessary: "With our innovation strategy and our 6+2 innovation clusters, we are able to make innovations marketable even faster and unite making a valuable contribution to making movement and mobility sustainable.” Schaeffler focuses on the six product innovation clusters Energy Solutions, Digital Solutions, Robotic Solutions, Mobility Solutions, eDrive Solutions, Material Solutions and two production innovation clusters Advanced Manufacturing and New Production Concepts.

In her welcoming address, Anke Rehlinger, Prime Minister of Saarland, highlighted the challenges for domestic industry against the background of structural change and digital transformation. In addition to the topics of skilled workers and energy, innovative strength is also decisive for a successful transformation. “Innovation binds a company from within. Schaeffler in Homburg is a prime example of this. The high level of employee loyalty is an expression of the innovative potential in the company,” said Anke Rehlinger. Schaeffler is specifically strengthening the Homburg location: A competence center for rolling elements for the Automotive Technologies division is being established there. To this end, the company is consistently investing in digitization and automation on site.

In numerous contributions, experts from Schaeffler presented topics such as sustainability, the future vision of the Homburg site and, in particular, the competencies in the areas of product development, industrialization and manufacturing. Company and university representatives provided impulses on potential for Saarland as an industrial location, for example on artificial intelligence, tailor-made materials, optimized surfaces, the treatment of fuel cell components or new types of sensors. Other companies and startups from the region also had the opportunity to present their technologies at this year's Innovation Day.