Schaeffler opens new logistics hub in Taicang to strengthen China supply chain

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 25, Schaeffler inaugurated its China logistics center in the city of Taicang, Suzhou, marking a significant step in strengthening the company's domestic supply chain. The new facility serves as a key node for raw materials flowing into Schaeffler's Taicang manufacturing base as well as for distributing finished automotive components across the country. By consolidating these functions, the company aims to offer faster, more reliable, and more responsive logistics support to its customers.

The Taicang hub now anchors Schaeffler's logistics network in China. It not only supplies raw materials to the nearby manufacturing complex but also consolidates outbound shipments from nine Schaeffler plants nationwide. From this site, the company distributes a broad portfolio — including automotive bearings, powertrain and chassis components, and electric-drive products — to customers across nearly 30 provinces and municipalities.

Positioned adjacent to Schaeffler's production lines, the facility sharply accelerates the movement of goods within the company's supply chain. Many finished parts now enter storage immediately after leaving the assembly line, reducing warehousing time by more than 80%. Raw material deliveries have also been compressed from around eight hours to under one hour. This tighter integration enables Schaeffler to react more swiftly to shifting customer demand.

Schaeffler has also embedded digital and automation technologies into the site to raise efficiency. Shuttle vehicles now handle most in-park transport, replacing traditional road-based trucking for internal transfers. Automated high-bay warehouses manage storage operations with greater precision, while an integrated logistics management platform links raw material inventories, finished-goods storage, inbound processes, and outbound shipments. Real-time dashboards give managers immediate visibility over the entire flow of goods and data.

The facility also incorporates sustainability measures, including more efficient energy systems, smart lighting, water-saving fixtures, and rainwater-reuse features. These upgrades help position the building as a modern, low-carbon, environmentally friendly logistics hub.

The opening comes as Schaeffler marks its 30th year in China in 2025. Over the past three decades, the company has steadily expanded its presence under a strategy of “local resources for the local market”, investing across manufacturing, R&D, sales, and services. Schaeffler now operates 17 factories and six R&D centers in the country, supported by a nationwide sales network. The launch of the Taicang logistics center underscores the company's continued commitment to deepening its local footprint and enhancing its supply-chain resilience in China.