ZF is one of the world's leading automotive industry suppliers specializing in driveline and chassis technologies. With a workforce of about 61,000 employees, the company operates 125 plants in 26 countries. ZF Group revenues in 2008 totaled ?12.501 billion. ZF ranks as one of the top-15 automotive industry suppliers worldwide.

To begin with, the year 2008 got off to a good start for the ZF Group. During the first three quarters, the majority of divisions and business units posted above-average growth in sales. In the final quarter, the international financial and economic crisis cast a dark cloud, almost at the same time, over the economic performance of all market segments and regions.

In the year under review, the ZF Group achieved sales of EUR 12,501 million, which is 1 % less than in the previous year. The workforce grew by 7 % to 61,156 employees. Due to the international financial and economic crisis, the positive business development during the first three quarters of 2008 was followed by a considerable sales slump in the fourth quarter. This decline above all affected the passenger car, truck, and construction-machinery sectors. In 2008, EUR 939 million was invested in property, plant, and equipment. EUR 697 million was spent on Research and Development. The net profit after tax accounted for EUR 434 million.

The ZF Group employed an average 61,156 people in 2008 - a 7% increase over the previous year. The number of employees in Germany rose 5% to 36,363. Outside Germany, the workforce grew by 8% to 24,793 employees.