Schaeffler AG announced the appointment of Celia Pelaz as CEO of its "Defence & New Space" division, effective October 1, 2026. Pelaz, who will also lead the management board of STech Defence GmbH, brings over 25 years of international experience in the defence and space industry, including recent roles as COO of Spire Global and executive positions at Hensoldt and Airbus Defence & Space.
STech Defence GmbH was founded as an independent subsidiary of Schaeffler AG at the end of 2025, consolidating the company's activities in defence and New Space. The subsidiary is based in Munich and positions itself as a preferred partner to the defence and space industries in Germany and Europe. Building on Schaeffler Group's capabilities in product development, manufacturing, and industrialization, STech Defence GmbH aims to deliver innovative solutions and products tailored to these sectors.
Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, highlighted the strategic importance of the appointment: "We are very pleased to appoint Celia Pelaz, one of the most distinguished and experienced executives in the European defence and space industry, for Schaeffler. With her experience, expertise and leadership strength, she will make an important contribution as an internationally experienced expert to expanding Schaeffler Group's defence and space business and shaping this important new growth field for the future."
Pelaz's career began in 2001 at EADS, where she held various roles in operations, sales, and project management. She later moved to Airbus Defence & Space, overseeing the carve-out of defence electronics that became Hensoldt AG. At Hensoldt, she served as Head of International Development, Strategy & Corporate Functions, and later as Chief Strategy Officer and COO. In January 2025, she became COO at Spire Global, a leading satellite data provider.
The appointment aligns with Schaeffler's ambition to achieve a ten percent share of revenue from new growth areas outside its core business by 2035, including humanoid robotics, defence, and New Space. The company describes itself as a Motion Technology Company, driving innovations in electric mobility, CO2-efficient drives, chassis solutions, and renewable energies.
STech Defence GmbH's leadership includes Manfred Homm as CTO and Dr. Christopher Koth as interim CFO. The subsidiary focuses on developing products for defence and New Space, leveraging Schaeffler's established product families and manufacturing expertise.
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