By Eva Richardson | March 28, 2025 – The Logistic News
While much of the supply chain world talks about the future of AI, Schaeffler is already building it.
Behind the scenes of one of the automotive industry’s most advanced supply networks, the German-based global manufacturer is steadily embedding artificial intelligence into the very DNA of its operations—far beyond simple automation or dashboard analytics.
Speaking on the “Red Sofa” segment hosted by Automotive Logistics, Schaeffler’s Head of Supply Chain Management, Sascha Zaps, offered a rare window into how the company is implementing AI to transform planning, forecasting, and logistics orchestration across its vast global footprint.
Beyond Buzzwords: Turning AI into Real-Time Supply Chain Intelligence
“At Schaeffler, we see AI not as a trend but as a tool for real-time decision-making,” Zaps explained. “From predicting demand shocks to dynamically rerouting parts flows, AI allows us to respond with precision rather than reaction.”
The company’s AI journey isn’t theoretical. Over the past two years, Schaeffler has deployed machine learning models to optimize delivery schedules, assess supplier reliability risks, and even anticipate customs delays based on historical clearance times.
These capabilities are critical in a network that spans over 200 production sites and 75,000 employees across the globe—and where disruptions have become increasingly unpredictable due to geopolitical tensions, climate events, and market volatility.
Human-Machine Synergy
Zaps stressed that AI isn’t replacing human decision-makers—it’s enhancing them. “The challenge is not whether AI can do the job, but how well our people are equipped to interpret its recommendations. We’re investing heavily in training our teams to interact with these systems meaningfully.”
Schaeffler’s approach aligns with a broader industry shift from static enterprise resource planning (ERP) to interconnected, self-optimizing systems. In this model, AI plays the role of orchestrator, analyzing data inputs from production, transportation, inventory, and customer signals to generate dynamic, holistic supply plans.
The AI-Driven Control Tower
At the heart of Schaeffler’s digital vision lies its next-generation “Control Tower”—a real-time platform that consolidates all relevant supply chain data into one live environment. Powered by AI, this hub enables proactive issue resolution, scenario modelling, and early warning signals across global operations.
This control tower has already helped Schaeffler navigate several high-risk situations, including last year’s port congestion crisis and semiconductor sourcing disruptions. “What we used to detect in days, we now see in hours or even minutes,” said Zaps.
Future-Focused, Not Just Digitized
Looking ahead, Schaeffler aims to expand its AI capabilities into sustainability tracking, carbon-intelligent transport routing, and autonomous inventory restocking at select locations. According to Zaps, “We want our supply chain to be as intelligent as our engineering.”
In a world where AI is often reduced to hype and headlines, Schaeffler’s quiet, methodical application of the technology is a reminder that real innovation lies not in what’s promised, but in what’s already being delivered.
As other logistics players rush to catch up, Schaeffler’s AI-driven supply chain is already shifting gears into the next phase of digital maturity—where machine learning doesn’t just support operations, it helps define strategy.
