Research and development at ZF

Innovating our way to success

Whether in driving comfort, safety and reliability, or in procurement and operation: ZF products set standards for driveline and chassis technology. ZF earns a third of its sales through products that went into serial production in the last five years alone. To ensure its continued success through innovative solutions, ZF sets aside around 5 percent of its annual sales for research and development. A story that began in 1916 with simple experiments has today become a global R&D network.

To ensure its continued success through innovative solutions, ZF sets aside around 5 percent of its annual sales for research and development. A story that began in 1916 with simple experiments has today become a global R&D network.

Systematic innovation

The continual development of new technology is of crucial importance to ZF. Manufacturers expect innovative products to set their vehicles apart from the competition. Functionalities for better driving dynamics, comfort and safety – as well as fewer individual components and assemblies – are increasingly in demand. ZF research and development meets these challenges with its extensive expertise and clear understanding of the dynamic relationships in the whole vehicle. To secure its product strategy, ZF has introduced an integrated management process that systematically analyzes and evaluates the market, customer, product, technology and production for all innovations.

Global network

Over 4,600 engineers and technicians work in research and development worldwide. Here divisions and business units focus on market and product expertise to develop cutting-edge products according to customer needs. Corporate Research and Development (R&D) undertakes basic and theoretical research while supporting the operational development teams in the divisions. Decentralized product development at the division level occurs in Saarbrücken, Schweinfurt, Passau and Dielingen, Germany, as well as at ZF Lenksysteme in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, and ZF North America Technical Center near Detroit. The central R&D department in Friedrichshafen coordinates the activities of ZF Engineering Pilsen and ZF Japan Engineering. The development center in Shanghai, China, is also integrated.

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ZF engineering services for Japanese automotive manufacturers

Within the scope of the ZF strategy, ZF Japan Engineering offers all ZF Group divisions specific contacts with Japanese vehicle manufacturers for technical questions. The aim is to continuously expand the technological know-how and advance all quality functions to support Japanese OEMs with outstanding services. Engieering services provided by ZF are another focal point.

Tasks

In ZF Japan Engineering at the location Tokyo (Japan) currently 10 employees are working, most of them engineers. This local is subdivided into the following areas: