HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 2,334 patent registrations in 2015, Schaeffler is Germany's second most innovative company for the second year in succession according to the DPMA (German Patent and Trademark Office). This honor also solidifies the company's role as one of Germany's leading innovators. Schaeffler identifies key trends at an early stage and defines new technology standards. This corporate culture encourages innovation and is driving forward the research and development of innovative components, modules and systems in focal areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energies, mechatronics and electric mobility. "Innovation is one of the Schaeffler Group's success factors and ensures our economic success in the long term," emphasizes Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Gutzmer, deputy CEO and chief technology officer at Schaeffler AG. "The basis for this continuous innovation is our network for research and development, which identifies new basic technologies in a worldwide network and uses these to generate and realize ideas for new, customer-relevant products." Gutzmer also underlines the connection between practical expertise and scientific research as an important basis for Schaeffler's innovative strength. Approximately 6,700 employees at 17 R&D centers develop new products, technologies, processes and methods for solutions that are tailored to the market. Schaeffler currently has 24,000 active patents and patent registrations. The company's main development locations in Germany - Herzogenaurach, Schweinfurt and Bühl - are linked with further development centers in Europe, Asia, and North and South America. About Schaeffler The Schaeffler Group is one of the world's leading integrated automotive and industrial suppliers. The company stands for the highest quality, outstanding technology, and strong innovative ability. The Schaeffler Group makes a decisive contribution to "mobility for tomorrow" with high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The company generated sales of approximately 12.1 billion euros in 2014. With around 84,000 employees worldwide, Schaeffler is one of Europe's largest technology companies in family ownership. It has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities and sales companies at approximately 170 locations in 50 countries. For more information, please visit www.schaeffler.com