After cutting 3,460 jobs, a nearly century-old giant bets on Chinese humanoid robots?

Schaeffler, a German Tier 1 supplier, announced significant job cuts in Europe while simultaneously expanding its humanoid robot business in China. The company is leveraging its expertise in bearings and actuators to supply core components for humanoid robots, with new orders reaching approximately €400 million. A new 7,500 sqm smart factory in Taicang was inaugurated, featuring six humanoid robots performing full assembly tasks. Schaeffler's strategy involves not just supplying parts but also acting as a user by deploying robots in its own factories and collaborating with Chinese partners to iterate designs rapidly within the local supply chain ecosystem.