Schaeffler has acquired BEGA International B.V. (Bega), a leading manufacturer of special tools for mounting and dismounting rolling bearings. The acquisition marks another step in the expansion of Schaeffler’s lifecycle service portfolio. Access to the IIoT platform created for Schaeffler’s OPTIME condition monitoring solution also opens up new possibilities for Bega’s intelligent maintenance tools. Customers will also benefit. They will have a common user interface for all touchpoints, which will help ensure a seamless user experience across the rolling bearing lifecycle, from installation to monitoring and maintenance, right through to repair. Customers and partners will be able to source solutions and services for rolling bearing maintenance and monitoring from a single provider and will benefit from more streamlined access to a range of upkeep and repair solutions.

“The thinking behind our strategically important Industry 4.0 business is to be the partner of choice for predictive and prescriptive maintenance solutions. By working with Bega, we can offer our customers top-quality total lifecycle services and solutions for bearings and other powertrain components,” said Rauli Hantikainen, head of Schaeffler’s Industry 4.0 strategic business field.

“Thanks to this new partnership, Schaeffler and Bega will rank among the top providers of maintenance solutions,” said Henk van Essen, who is the current CEO of Bega and will stay on in that role going forward. “We also want to be the most innovative provider of maintenance tools.”