The election was preceded by a presentation about the Schaeffler Group in general and Railway sector management in particular by its Director, Dipl.-Ing. Simone Purbs. She will actively represent the Schaeffler Group at UNIFE in future. Simone Purbs assesses full membership of the UNIFE to be the latest confirmation that Schaeffler's Railway sector is a leader of the European rail vehicle industry: "Full membership means that as one of the technological leaders in the rolling bearing sector, we are now able to enter into a direct exchange with global technology leaders and drivers of technology in the rail vehicle industry that are based in Europe, and can collaborate more closely and develop innovations with them."
The association was founded in 1992 and represents leading large and medium-sized companies that are involved in the design, manufacturing, maintenance and reconditioning of rail transport systems, subsystems and their components. UNIFE members represent around 80 percent of the rail vehicle market in Europe and produce over 50 percent of the worldwide volume of equipment and services for rail vehicles.
With a current membership comprising 73 full members and 17 associate members, the association has an important voice when decision makers in European institutions debate questions regarding the future of transport. In addition to the full and associate members, a further 1,000 equipment suppliers from 17 national rail vehicle associations collaborate in different UNIFE activities.
The association has four main objectives:
1. Increase awareness of the advantages of rail traffic amongst European policy-makers and thereby promote rail traffic in the long term.
2. Form a unified and efficient European rail transportation system extending across borders by means of harmonization and standardization.
3. Ensure the technical leadership of European rail vehicle suppliers using forward-looking research and innovation projects as well as top quality initiatives.
4. Provide UNIFE members with the necessary strategic and operative expertise.
Schaeffler Group Industrial's Railway sector management develops and produces solutions for every bearing application in rail vehicles in close partnership with manufacturers and operators. The product portfolio comprises axlebox bearings including housings as well as bearings and components for traction motors and gearboxes, for railcar connectors and tilting technology, as well as for doors and numerous other applications. Schaeffler Group Industrial has more than 100 years of experience in railway engineering. This means it offers the customer comprehensive technical expertise, high quality, and products that are perfectly matched for every application.