Schaeffler Industrial Drives

What Schaeffler Industrial Drives does

Schaeffler Industrial Drives AG & Co. KG is the specialist subsidiary of Schaeffler AG (XETRA: SHA0) for direct drive technology (Direktantriebstechnologie), headquartered at Mittelbergstraße 2, Suhl, Germany. The company develops and produces torque motors, linear motors, complete positioning systems (linear, rotary, multi-axis, and Z-axis configurations), and supporting electronics and sensors (Interpolator, Sensor-Connector-Box). Its product portfolio spans more than twenty named motor series — including L7, L1, L2U, UPLplus, and ULIM linear motors and RIB, RI, RKI, RE, RMK/RMF, SRV, segment, and UPR torque motors — alongside custom-engineered "Sondermotoren" for application-specific requirements. The unit operates as a wholly-owned GmbH & Co. KG within the Schaeffler Gruppe, with Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG as the personally liable partner; Schaeffler Industrial Drives itself is not separately listed and does not disclose standalone revenue.

The company sells primarily through B2B enterprise field sales to industrial customers requiring precision motion control — machine builders, automation integrators, and OEMs using direct-drive solutions to eliminate mechanical transmission components. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, consistent with a custom-engineered industrial hardware model. Distribution is executed through the Schaeffler Group's worldwide sales organization covering over 50 countries, complemented by the group's digital presence, the quadrennial Schaeffler Automotive Symposium, and trade-media channels.

Recent strategic activity at the parent level — the 2024 acquisition of Vitesco Technologies and three 2026 partnerships (Sonatus for AI on vehicle control units, Delair for European drone production, and Spire Global for satellite/aerospace subsystems) — situates Schaeffler Industrial Drives within a broader Schaeffler Gruppe executing its "Strategic Ambition 2035" diversification into e-mobility, defense, space, and drone adjacencies. The Industrial Drives unit itself is a focused, mature direct-drive specialist rather than a growth-stage standalone, with its near-term trajectory tied to industrial automation capex and parent-level strategic capital allocation.

Name

Schaeffler Industrial Drives

Legal name

Schaeffler Industrial Drives AG & Co. KG

Website

https://schaeffler-industrial-drives.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Schaeffler Industrial Drives AG & Co. KG is a Suhl, Germany-based subsidiary of Schaeffler AG that designs and manufactures torque motors, linear motors, positioning systems, and supporting electronics for industrial direct-drive applications. It serves B2B machine builders and automation integrators worldwide via the Schaeffler Group's global sales network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Motion Control Drives

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314)

SIC

Motors & Generators (3621), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Motion Control Controllers & CNC/Robot Drives (Motion Controllers, Multi-axis) (IMAGACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

DC Motors (Brushed, Brushless DC) (IMAGACAB), Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)

Keywords

• Direct drive motors
• Linear motors
• Torque motors
• Positioning systems
• Industrial automation drives

Headquarters

HQ city

Suhl

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Motor Sales: Sale of torque motors, linear motors, and positioning systems to industrial customers requiring direct drive technology solutions
2. Custom High-Performance Systems: Customized high-performance positioning systems for specific industrial applications

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Schaeffler Industrial Drives AG & Co. KG develops, manufactures, and sells direct drive technology products for industrial motion control applications. Its portfolio comprises torque motors and linear motors across a broad size and power spectrum, custom high-performance positioning systems (linear, rotary, multi-axis, Z-axis), and complementary electronics and sensors including interpolators and sensor connector boxes. The company serves industrial customers requiring precision motion control without mechanical transmission components.

Product overview

Schaeffler Industrial Drives AG & Co. KG is a specialist for direct drive technology. The portfolio includes Torque and Linear motors in a wide range of sizes and power specifications, as well as custom High-Performance positioning systems. The product lineup consists of: Linear motors (L7, L1, L2U, UPLplus, ULIM series plus custom special motors), Torque motors (RIB, RI, RKI, RE, RMK/RMF, SRV, Segment motors, UPR series plus custom special motors), complete Positioning Systems (Linear, Rotative, Multi-axis, and Z-axis systems), and Electronics & Sensors (Interpolator and Sensor-Connector-Box). All products are designed for precision motion control applications in industrial automation and manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Schaeffler Industrial Drives: Specialist division for direct drive technology (Direktantriebstechnologie) offering torque and linear motors in a wide size and power spectrum, as well as custom high-performance positioning systems

Products and services

• Linearmotoren L7 High-performance L7 series linear motors designed for precision positioning applications in industrial automation and manufacturing.
• Linearmotoren L1 L1 series linear motors for industrial positioning and automation applications using direct drive technology.
• Linearmotoren L2U L2U series linear motors engineered for direct drive technology applications in industrial environments.
• Linearmotoren UPLplus Advanced UPLplus linear motor series offering enhanced performance characteristics for demanding industrial positioning applications.
• Linearmotoren ULIM ULIM linear motor series designed for ultra-low impact motion applications in industrial automation.
• Sondermotoren (Linear) Custom-designed linear motors tailored to specific customer requirements for specialized direct drive applications.
• Torquemotoren RIB RIB series torque motors for direct drive rotary applications in industrial machinery.
• Torquemotoren RI RI series torque motors for industrial rotary positioning systems.
• Torquemotoren RKI RKI series torque motors for high-precision rotary applications.
• Torquemotoren RE RE series torque motors for direct drive rotary technology applications.
• Torquemotoren RMK/RMF RMK/RMF series torque motors built for heavy-duty rotary industrial applications.
• Torquemotoren SRV SRV series torque motors designed for servo rotary applications requiring precise motion control.
• Segmentmotoren Segmented torque motors for partial rotation applications in industrial automation.
• Torquemotoren UPR UPR series torque motors for universal positioning rotary applications.
• Sondermotoren (Torque) Custom-designed torque motors tailored to specific customer requirements for specialized direct drive applications.
• Lineare Systeme Linear positioning systems combining motors with guides and controllers for precision motion applications.
• Rotative Systeme Rotary positioning systems for turntable and indexing applications.
• Mehrachssysteme Multi-axis positioning systems for complex motion control applications requiring coordinated multi-axis movement.
• Z-Achs-Systeme Z-axis positioning systems for vertical motion applications.
• Interpolator Electronic device for signal interpolation and motion control enhancement in direct drive systems.
• Sensor-Connector-Box Interface box for connecting sensors to positioning systems in direct drive technology setups.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered strategic.

• DelairstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2026Strategic partnership to scale drone production in France. The new production line for combat and interceptor drones aims to deliver approximately 100 units per day by November 2026. The cooperation combines Schaeffler's product competencies and industrialization expertise with Delair's expertise in UAS design, integration, and operational deployment.
• SonatusstrategicTechnology or Integration · 10 June 2026Schaeffler and Sonatus partnered to integrate AI algorithms directly onto control units for software-defined vehicles. The partnership combines Schaeffler's control units with Sonatus's AI-based software (Sonatus Collector AI and Sonatus AI Director), bringing intelligence directly into vehicles to accelerate development processes and reduce complexity.
• Spire GlobalstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Partnership to develop subsystems for space hardware, satellite platforms, and advanced high-frequency and environmental sensors. The collaboration aims to establish an independent European aerospace industry with hardware developed and industrialized in Germany. Spire contributes satellite platform expertise and extensive aerospace experience, while Schaeffler provides precision engineering and manufacturing know-how.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB: Industrial drives and motion control provider with broad automation, robotics, and electrification portfolio. Competes in motors, drives, and integrated motion for industrial applications.
• Bosch Rexroth: Major industrial automation incumbent offering linear motion, drives, and motion control as part of a wider factory automation portfolio. Competes head-to-head in linear motors and multi-axis positioning systems.
• Parker Hannifin: Diversified motion and control technologies provider with electromechanical and drive divisions. Overlaps with Industrial Drives in motors, positioning systems, and industrial automation components.
• Yaskawa Electric: Japanese motion control specialist with servo motors, drives, and robotics. Direct overlap in servo/torque motor technology and multi-axis positioning for industrial automation.
• Fanuc: World leader in CNC and industrial robotics with proprietary servo motors and motion control. Competes with Industrial Drives' positioning systems in machine tool and automation OEM channels.
• Siemens: Global industrial automation giant whose SIMOTION and SINAMICS lines include motion controllers and drive systems used in factory automation. Overlaps with Industrial Drives' positioning and motor portfolio at OEM customers.

Direct peers

• LinMot: Swiss specialist focused exclusively on linear motors and linear positioning systems for industrial automation. Closest niche competitor to Schaeffler Industrial Drives' linear motor franchise.
• Kollmorgen: Specialist in direct-drive torque motors, linear motors, and servo motion control for industrial automation. Closest direct competitor to Schaeffler Industrial Drives in frameless torque motors and integrated positioning systems.
• ETEL (Heidenhain Group): Swiss manufacturer of direct-drive torque motors and high-precision motion components, part of the Heidenhain Group. Directly comparable in frameless torque motors and precision positioning.
• Aerotech: US-based precision motion control and positioning systems provider serving industrial automation and high-end manufacturing. Overlaps with Industrial Drives' high-performance positioning systems and linear motor offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/schaefflerde
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SchaefflerDE
• Facebookfacebook.com/SchaefflerDeutschland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schaeffler
• Instagraminstagram.com/schaefflergroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Schaeffler Industrial Drives