During the 2008 merger, the company revealed that in World War II it had exploited thousands of slave labourers in its plants in German-occupied Poland. Around this time the director of the museum now standing at the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp claimed that after the war 1.95 long tons (1, 980 kg) of human hair had been found at Schaeffler factories, and had been used in upholstery in its automotive products. The historian at Schaeffler denied this particular allegation.[13]
In August 2008, the Schaeffler family agreed to a staggered €12 billion acquisition of larger rival Continental AG, whereby the family would defer taking a majority stake until at least 2012.[14] However, in 2011 the family sold off €1.8 billion worth of shares, reducing its stake from 75.1% to 60.3%.[15] Currently, the family owns 46% of Continental shares. The family also owns 46% of Vitesco Technologies.[1]
