Schaeffler Wins 2014 PACE Award for Torque Converter with Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber

TROY, Mich., April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Schaeffler – a leading global manufacturer of high-precision automotive products and systems for engines, transmissions and chassis applications – was named a 2014 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award winner in the product category for its fuel-saving and vibration-reducing torque converter for rear wheel drive with centrifugal pendulum absorber.

Patrick Lindemann, vice president of product development at LuK Wooster, accepted the award on behalf of Schaeffler during an award ceremony held April 7 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. For over 20 years the Automotive News PACE Awards have honored superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. This prestigious award is recognized around the world as the industry benchmark for innovation.

"We are honored to receive this prestigious award and be recognized for our dedication to providing our customers with innovative products and technologies," said Lindemann. "Our torque converter with its centrifugal pendulum absorber is a true testament to how we are working to create products that assist automakers as they face current and future industry requirements."

Since downsized engines tend to vibrate more than larger ones, Schaeffler developed a pendulum, operated by centrifugal force and mounted to the torque converter, which cancels vibrations from the engine. As a result, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are reduced, and comfort is increased due to the reduced vibration. The torque converter is developed at Schaeffler's LuK USA LLC facility in Wooster, Ohio.

The company was one of 16 suppliers honored with this award. This is the fourth time since 2009 that Schaeffler has received the PACE Award, most recently earning the recognition for its UniAir fully variable engine valve lift system that allows engines to operate more efficiently. This technology was recently named one of the "Best of the Best" by Automotive News editors in a list that recognizes the most significant PACE Award winners of the past 20 years.

The 20^th annual PACE Awards honor suppliers' innovations in products, manufacturing process and capital equipment, and information technology. The judges, who are experts from industry, academia and business, evaluate the innovations for originality and market impact. Winners were announced at an award ceremony held April 7 in Detroit. For complete details on the Automotive News PACE Awards, please visit http://www.autonews.com/pace_award.

Schaeffler with its product brands INA, LuK and FAG is a leading provider of rolling bearing and plain bearing solutions and of linear and direct drive technology, as well as a renowned supplier to the automotive industry of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions, and chassis applications. The globally active group of companies generated sales of approximately 11.1 billion euros in 2012. With about 78,000 employees worldwide, Schaeffler is one of the largest German and European industrial companies in family ownership. With 180 locations in over 50 countries, Schaeffler has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, sales companies, engineering offices, and training centers.

To serve the North American automotive market, Schaeffler operates development centers in: Troy, Mich.; Fort Mill, S.C.; Wooster, Ohio; and Puebla, Mexico. The company's 400 North American engineers and technicians, who are supported by a team of more than 5,500 global engineers, drive development in the region utilizing state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment, computational tools and CAD systems. Schaeffler Automotive has headquarters in Fort Mill and manufacturing facilities in: South Carolina; Missouri; Ohio; Ontario, Canada; Puebla and Irapuato, Mexico. For more information, please visit www.schaeffler.us.

SOURCE Schaeffler