page_title: ZF Friedrichshafen
section_title: Business development
hierarchical_section_title: ZF Friedrichshafen / Business development
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Vorsitzender der MAHLE Konzerngeschäftsführung
context_page_description: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, also known as ZF Group, originally Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, and commonly abbreviated to ZF, is a German car parts maker headquartered in Friedrichshafen, in the south-west German state of Baden-Württemberg.
  Specialising in engineering, it is primarily known for its design, research and development, and manufacturing activities in the automotive industry. It is a worldwide supplier of driveline and chassis technology for cars and commercial vehicles, along with specialist plant equipment such as construction equipment. It is also involved in rail, marine, defence and aviation industries, as well as general industrial applications. ZF has 241 production locations in 41 countries with approximately 148,000 employees.
  ZF Friedrichshafen is more than 90% owned by the Zeppelin Foundation, which is largely controlled by the town of Friedrichshafen.
context_section_description: In 1999 the steering systems division was made separate and became the new ZF Lenksysteme GmbH, an independent, 50:50 joint venture between ZF Friedrichshafen and Robert Bosch GmbH.
  In 2007 ZF Friedrichshafen managed to increase its business volume about 8% to  billion. The operating profit was about  million. In 2008 ZF had a profit of  million from a total business volume of  billion. During the financial crisis ZF was one of the companies hit most. Its business volume decreased in turnover to  billion. Total loss was about  million. According to the current development ZF is forecasting sales growth of about 10%, which would be above the industry average.
  Due to the financial crisis ZF received a credit of about  million by KfW. At the end of the term, it has to be paid back with interest. Being a state bank, the KfW aid is not considered governmental support. ZF is about to save  million without reducing its permanent staff. Contracts of short-term employees were not extended. Total number of employees was reduced from 63,000 to 59,000 worldwide. According to CEO Härter, there is no need for further employee reduction.
  On 16 September 2014, the Wall Street Journal reported that ZF agreed to acquire TRW Automotive Holdings for $13.5 billion.  The acquisition would create the world's second largest automotive parts concern, ranked just behind Robert Bosch GmbH.
  For clearing way to acquire TRW Automotive Holdings, ZF Friedrichshafen AG sold its stake in ZF Lenksysteme GmbH to Robert Bosch GmbH. ZF Lenksysteme GmbH has now been renamed as Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH.
caption: Wolf-Henning Scheider, CEO
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