Schafer Industries

What Schafer Industries does

Schafer Industries is a privately held US precision engineering and manufacturing company founded in 1934 and headquartered in South Bend, Indiana. Operating through three wholly-owned subsidiaries — Schafer Gear Works, Schafer Driveline, and Schafer Aerospace — the company produces custom-engineered gears, shafts, axles, transaxles, brake assemblies, and machined components serving off-highway vehicle OEMs (golf cars, ATVs, electric vehicles, ground support vehicles), aerospace and defense prime contractors (including the F-35, MQ-25, and Boeing 787 programs), and a broad set of industrial sectors (construction, mining, agriculture, power transmission, marine, rail, oil and gas). The company maintains four production facilities across Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, with internationally sourced partially completed components from partners in India, Taiwan, and Italy undergoing final machining, assembly, and quality inspection in the United States.

Schafer's core technology centers on precision gear manufacturing — hobbing, shaving, gear grinding, hard turning, and CNC machining — with proprietary ground gearing technology applied to all H-12 Electric Axles for quieter electric and hybrid vehicle performance. Capabilities span gear diameters from 0.125 to 36 inches at tolerances down to 0.0004 inch, and the company holds ISO 9001:2015 across all facilities, AS9100:2016 at South Bend, and ITAR compliance for defense and aerospace work. The business model is project-based custom manufacturing: customers submit engineering specifications, receive quotes through a Request for Quote (RFQ) process, and receive built-to-print components and assemblies directly from Schafer's US plants. The company is a portfolio company of HBM Holdings, a diversified industrial holding company.

Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales to OEM manufacturers with no public pricing or distributor network; all pricing is quote-based on customer specifications, volume, and complexity. The go-to-market motion relies on direct sales engagement, industry trade shows (Motion + Power Technology Expo), AGMA participation, and inbound RFQs through the corporate website. Customer segments span recreational off-highway, aerospace and defense, industrial manufacturing, and turf and agriculture equipment, with leadership under CEO Eric Van Rens and CFO David Baur and a workforce of 251-500 employees.

Name

Schafer Industries

Legal name

Schafer Industries

Website

http://www.schaferindustries.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Schafer Industries is a US-based precision engineering and manufacturer (founded 1934) of custom gears, shafts, axles, and machined components serving off-highway vehicle OEMs, aerospace and defense primes, and industrial manufacturers through three divisions: Gear Works, Driveline, and Aerospace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Gear and Driveline Manufacturing

NAICS

Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing (33633)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension Components Manufacturing (IMACAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rotorcraft Transmissions, Gearboxes & Drive Systems (IMABABAG)

Keywords

• Precision gear manufacturing
• Custom driveline assemblies
• Aerospace machined components
• Off-highway vehicle axles
• Engineered gear shafts

Headquarters

HQ city

South Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom-Engineered Axles and Drivelines: Design and manufacture of custom-engineered small axles for recreational and light-utility off-highway vehicles including golf cars, ATVs, ground support vehicles, and electric vehicles. Revenue from direct B2B sales to OEM manufacturers.
2. Precision Gears and Shafts: High-precision custom gears and shafts from 0.125 to 36 inch diameter for diverse industries including aerospace, defense, construction, mining, and power transmission. Manufactured to print specifications.
3. Aerospace Components and Machined Products: Precision machined components, gears, and shafts for aerospace and defense applications including military aircraft, missiles, and commercial aviation programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Schafer Industries designs and manufactures custom-engineered precision gears, splined shafts, axles, transaxles, brakes, and CNC-machined components through three divisions—Schafer Gear Works, Schafer Aerospace, and Schafer Driveline. Products are built to customer print specifications for OEMs in off-highway vehicles, aerospace, defense, construction, mining, agriculture, and power transmission, and are produced at four U.S. facilities in South Bend IN, Roscoe IL, Fredericktown OH, and Blacklick OH.

Product overview

Schafer Industries is a precision engineering and manufacturing company operating three specialized divisions: Schafer Driveline, Schafer Aerospace, and Schafer Gear Works. Schafer Driveline produces custom-engineered axles and brakes for recreational and light-utility off-highway vehicles, with models including the Schafer 12, 24, 30, 45, 61, P55, and P55 Axles, with the Model 24 being a newer launch targeting electric vehicles. Schafer Aerospace provides U.S.-based precision manufacturing of aerospace gears, machined components, and assemblies for defense and commercial applications. Schafer Gear Works manufactures precision gears (spur, helical, planetary, worm, bevel) and splined shafts from 0.125 to 32 inch diameter, serving industries since 1934. The divisions share manufacturing expertise and operate from facilities in South Bend IN, Roscoe IL, Fredericktown OH, and Blacklick OH.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Schafer Gear Works: Precision gear and shaft manufacturing division producing spur gears, helical gears, internal/external ring gears, planetary gears, worm gears, bevel gears, broached splines, and shafts for industries including agriculture, construction, electric vehicles, heavy truck, marine, material handling, mining, oil & gas, power transmission, pumps & compressors, rail, recreational vehicles, and specialty auto.
• Schafer Aerospace
• Schafer Driveline

Products and services

• Schafer 12 Axles Small custom-engineered axle model for light recreational vehicles, part of Schafer Driveline's off-highway axle product family.
• Schafer 24 Axles Newly launched axle model targeting construction, personnel carriers, and electric off-highway vehicle markets, featuring proprietary ground gearing for quiet operation.
• Schafer 30 Axles Small custom-engineered axle model for light recreational vehicles, part of Schafer Driveline's off-highway axle product family.
• Schafer 45 Axles Small custom-engineered axle model for light recreational vehicles, part of Schafer Driveline's off-highway axle product family.
• Schafer 61 Axles Small custom-engineered axle model for light recreational vehicles, part of Schafer Driveline's off-highway axle product family.
• Schafer P55 Axles Small custom-engineered axle model for light recreational vehicles, part of Schafer Driveline's off-highway axle product family.
• Schafer P65 Axles Small custom-engineered axle model for light recreational vehicles, part of Schafer Driveline's off-highway axle product family.
• Brake Assemblies Brake assemblies and components for axles and off-highway vehicles, integrated with Schafer's axle product family as a single-source driveline solution.
• Precision Gears (Spur, Helical, Planetary, Worm, Bevel) High-precision custom-manufactured gears including spur, helical, internal/external ring, planetary, worm, and straight bevel (Coniflex) gears, with diameters from 0.125 to 32+ inches and tolerances to 0.0004 inch, serving aerospace, defense, construction, mining, agriculture, power transmission, and other industrial OEMs.
• Splined Shafts Custom broached splines and machined shafts from 0.125 to 36 inch diameter, produced to print for power transmission and mechanical applications across multiple industries.
• Aerospace Components (5-axis CNC Machined) Precision 5-axis CNC machined components, aerospace gears, and shafts with tolerances to 0.0004 inch, produced under AS9100:2016 and ITAR compliance for military aircraft, missiles, UAVs, and commercial aviation programs such as the F-35, MQ-25 Stingray, and Boeing 787.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of the largest manufacturers of golf cars in the world
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Manufacturing Partners (India, Taiwan, Italy)minorOthersInternational manufacturing partners in India, Taiwan, and Italy provide partially completed components that are heat treated, final machined, assembled, and quality inspected at Schafer's US plants. This blended manufacturing approach provides cost efficiency while maintaining quality standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Barnes Group: Barnes Group operates industrial and aerospace segments producing precision components, engineered springs, and motion control solutions for aerospace, medical, and industrial markets. Comparable to Schafer Aerospace's precision machined components and Schafer Gear Works' precision components.
• Triumph Group: Triumph Group manufactures aerospace structures, precision machined components, and gear systems for commercial, business, and military aviation. Comparable to Schafer Aerospace's gear and component manufacturing for defense and commercial aerospace programs.
• Curtiss-Wright Corporation: Curtiss-Wright is a large diversified aerospace and defense manufacturer producing precision components, actuation systems, and engineered materials for military and commercial platforms. Comparable to Schafer Aerospace's role on F35 and other defense programs.

Direct peers

• Dana Incorporated: Dana is a global leader in driveline systems (axles, driveshafts, sealing, and thermal management) serving on- and off-highway vehicle OEMs. Highly comparable to Schafer Driveline's custom-engineered axle and brake assemblies for off-highway and electric vehicles.
• Regal Rexnord: Regal Rexnord (formed via Rexnord/RBC Bearings combination) produces power transmission products including gears, bearings, couplings, and gear drives. Directly comparable to Schafer Gear Works' precision gear manufacturing capabilities.
• Meritor: Meritor (acquired by Cummins) manufactures axles, drivelines, brakes, and aftermarket parts for commercial, off-highway, and specialty vehicles. Directly comparable in product category to Schafer's axle and brake assemblies for off-road and electric vehicles.
• Allison Transmission: Allison Transmission designs and manufactures fully automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems for commercial, off-highway, and defense vehicles. Comparable to Schafer's driveline/transaxle offerings for off-road and electric vehicle applications.
• BorgWarner: BorgWarner is a major supplier of drivetrain and powertrain components, including gear sets, transfer cases, and electric drivetrain systems for light vehicles and off-highway applications. Comparable in gear manufacturing and electrification focus to Schafer Driveline.
• GKN Automotive: GKN Automotive is a global leader in driveline technologies including sideshafts, eDrive systems, and AWD systems for electric and conventional vehicles. Comparable to Schafer's off-highway axle business and electrification strategy.
• Linamar Corporation: Linamar is a Canadian diversified manufacturer of precision-machined components, driveline systems, and assemblies for automotive, off-highway, and industrial markets. Highly comparable to Schafer across all three divisions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/schaferindustries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schafer-gear-works-inc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Schafer Industries