From 3D printing and artificial intelligence through to networked driving solutions: the objective of the “Open Inspiration” innovation fair, which recently took place in Schaeffler’s conference centre in Germany, was to exchange challenges and ideas. Innovative research centres, universities, businesses and start-up companies presented their latest developments and research activities at the international event. Close collaboration has already been established with the majority of the 39 companies and institutions that took part.
Family shareholder, Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler-Thumann, and her husband, Jürgen Thumann, together with Georg F. W. Schaeffler, chairman of the Supervisory Board, learned about new trends and developments during a tour of the event and were impressed by the broad range of exhibits on display.
“Innovations are a crucial prerequisite for safeguarding our future,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Gutzmer, deputy CEO and chief technology officer at Schaeffler.
“New ideas for products and services often develop through an intensive exchange of ideas between creative minds from different disciplines and organisations. Our “Open Inspiration” event is aimed at supporting and intensifying such contacts from which both Schaeffler and its partners can benefit. This is why I am delighted about how well received this event has again been this year.”
More than 600 Schaeffler employees exchanged ideas and thoughts with exhibitors on the four megatrends: urbanisation, digitalisation, globalisation and climate change. It was by intention that developments were also presented that go far beyond Schaeffler’s day-to-day business. In his speech, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tim Hosenfeldt, senior vice president corporate innovation at Schaeffler, emphasised: “In the digital age, it is people collaborating with openness and enthusiasm beyond corporate boundaries who are a decisive and crucial factor for successful innovations.”
