Extracts from ZF history
The history of the companies spawned from the Zeppelin Foundation and historical summaries of themes including research & development, driveline, steering or chassis and chassis technology, motorsports or the internationalization of the company from past to present, are available as PDF downloads.
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| R&D There is a simple reason for an above-average commitment to research & development at ZF: High-quality, innovative products are the most important factors in achieving success. “With innovation to success” 474 KB (PDF, 502 KB) |
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| Driveline technology According to the dictionary definition, transmissions transfer or transform force. The volume of driveline technology innovations introduced by ZF over the past 90 years is truly remarkable. “Love for transmissions” 1.13 MB (PDF, 972 KB) |
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| Steering technology No matter which system is used – Ross or Gemmer, electronic or active steering, Servotronic or Servocomtronic – steering system engineers have consistently focused on driving dynamics, comfort, safety and fuel economy. “Joy of steering” 403 KB (PDF, 400 KB) |
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| Chassis technology Although the name ZF is primarily associated with transmissions, company has for many years served as an automotive industry technology partner and supplier of suspension components ranging from special ball joints and shock absorbers, to complete axle systems. It is no coincidence that chassis technology accounts for every second Euro of sales. “Growing with axles” 417 KB (PDF, 395 KB) |
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| Offroad “ZF moves everything that moves.” This often-heard saying in the eighties is, still toady, anything but an exaggeration. “Offroad” 8.34 MB (PDF, 8.0 MB) |
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| ZF worldwide 125 production companies, 6 main engineering centers, 26 sales and service companies, 21 trading companies, 1 contact office, 12 marketing offices, more than 650 customer service centers worldwide. “On the doorstep worldwide” 620 KB (PDF, 888 KB) |
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| Lemförder Chassis Technology is a mainstay in the ZF Group. But where does this division originate? The exciting history starts in the post-war years. “Lemförder – A look back” 303 KB (PDF, 299 KB) |
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| Sachs In 1895, together with Karl Fichtel, Ernst Sachs established “Schweinfurter Präcisions-Kugellager-Werke Fichtel & Sachs”, the original corporation of the traditional company that today belongs to ZF Friedrichshafen AG. “Sachs – Expertise since 1895” 311 KB (PDF, 308 KB) |
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| Living responsibility In 1913, two years before the establishment of ZF, Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin set up “Zeppelin-Wohlfahrt GmbH,” an extensive social welfare program that has had a profound influence on the ZF corporate culture and remains a model to this day. Social programs and a commitment to social responsibility are guiding principles throughout ZF corporate history. “Living responsibility” 780 KB (PDF, 388 KB) |
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| Motorsports ZF components and systems contribute to the success of Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher and rally legend Walter Röhrl, at Le Mans and in the Paris-Dakar Rally, in Grand Prix cars and heavy-duty racing trucks and in many more motorsports events. “The fascination of motorsports” 467 KB (PDF, 875 KB) |
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