English
In 1974, Ulrich Sauer took over the management of the family business SAF (Sauer Achsenfabrik) from his father, Roman. A graduate in mechanical engineering and business administration, he continued to develop his parents’ business, based in Keilberg, Bavaria, near Aschaffenburg.
Sauer was regarded as a visionary entrepreneur: even during his stays abroad whilst at university, he was already exploring new technologies in commercial vehicle engineering. One breakthrough innovation was the idea of a new type of steering system for trailer axles – the birth of the SAF INTRA chassis, which has since evolved many times over and has been tried and tested millions of times in the commercial vehicle industry.
Over many decades, Ulrich Sauer shaped the company and its product portfolio, and laid the foundations for sustained success in the international commercial vehicle industry, until he stepped down as managing director in 2004. In 2007, Sauer Achsenfabrik merged with the US company HOLLAND. This resulted in the formation of a European public limited company under the name SAF-HOLLAND. Sauer, a born entrepreneur, remained a member of the supervisory board until 2015.
The management and staff of the SAF-HOLLAND Group join the family and loved ones of Ulrich Sauer in mourning his passing. They are committed to carrying on his remarkable life’s work for future generations.
