Thai Minister of Industry opens new Schaeffler plant in Chonburi

Dr. Sibunruang and members of Schaeffler senior management prepare to cut the ribbon during the plant opening

The Minister of Industry in the Royal Thai Government, Dr. Atchaka Sibunruang, was the Guest of Honour along with Mr. Georg Schaeffler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler AG and Shareholder of the Schaeffler Group, as the company celebrated the inauguration of its first owned plant in South East Asia.

Dr. Sibunruang and Mr. Schaeffler addressed invited guests and employees and took part in a ribbon cutting session along with other members of Schaeffler senior management including Mr. Oliver Jung, COO Schaeffler Group, Mr. Norbert Indlekofer, CEO Automotive Schaeffler Group, and Mr. Andreas Schick, CEO Schaeffler Asia Pacific.

"Schaeffler currently employs over 180 people at its facilities in Thailand, including 150 employees at this new plant. I am sure that as Schaeffler grows its operations here in Thailand, you will draw from the local talent pool and further enhance your collaboration with universities and technical institutions here,“ Dr. Sibunruang said during her speech.

Dr. Sibunruang also participated in a guided tour of the manufacturing facilities and met Mr. Schaeffler for a coffee meeting along with Schaeffler management and invited dignitaries from the Royal Thai Government and German Embassy of Thailand.

"This plant brings us closer to our customers in Thailand and Southeast Asia and enables us to support them with high quality products and solutions for automobiles and motorcycles.“ - Mr. Shimada Junichi; Managing Director & President, Automotive South East Asia

"This plant is different because it is the result of our own vision to build and strengthen the regional footprint with investment in one of the world’s most important automotive growth markets. We are convinced that this region, particularly Southeast Asia, will be the future growth engine of the world economy.“ - Mr. Andreas Schick, CEO Schaeffler Asia Pacific