Schaeffler Japan Co., Ltd.

• Company
  • Schaeffler Group
  • History
    • from 1886-1945
    • 1946-1963
    • 1965-1996
    • 1998 to now
  • Owners / Management
  • Research & Development
  • Production
  • Quality Management
  • Environment
  • Code of Conduct
• Worldwide
• Sectors & Key Industries
• Products / Services
• Aftermarket
• Press Office
• Media Library
• Careers
• Events
• Suppliers
• Sales

1946-1963

1946
Brothers Wilhelm and Georg Schaeffler, both holders of Ph.D. degrees, found INA in Herzogenaurach.

1948
Handcarts and other products made from wood sell well after the war.

1949
A groundbreaking idea: The needle roller cage, developed by Georg Schaeffler, makes the needle roller bearing a reliable component for industrial applications.

1952
A breakthrough for the automotive industry: Low-wear INA needle roller bearings replace plain bearings in the transmission of the legendary VW Beetle.

1954
A big hit at its first trade show: INA presents deep-drawn drawn-cup needle roller bearings at the “Deutsche Industriemesse” (industrial trade show) in Hannover.

1955
The first linear guide: INA’s flat cage lays the foundation for the new linear technology division.

1956
The first foreign plant: Rolling bearing production for the European market starts in Haguenau, France.

1958
Manufacturing close to the customer: INA follows VW to Brazil and opens a new plant in Sao Paulo.

1963
Entering a new market, North America: INA’s company in Cheraw, South Carolina, is the first bridgehead in the United States.