Celia Pelaz (48) will become CEO of "Defence & New Space" at Schaeffler effective October 1, 2026, taking over responsibility of the management board of STech Defence GmbH, an independent subsidiary of Schaeffler AG founded at the end of 2025. The subsidiary focuses on the defence and New Space sectors, with Pelaz bringing over 25 years of international experience in these industries.
Pelaz most recently served as Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Management Board at Spire Global, Inc., a leading provider of satellite data and analytics. Her career began at EADS in 2001, later Airbus Defence & Space, where she held roles in operations, sales, and project management. She later oversaw the carve-out of defence electronics activities that became Hensoldt AG, where she served as Chief Strategy Officer and later Chief Operating Officer.
STech Defence GmbH, based in Munich, sees itself as a preferred partner to the defence and space industries in Germany and Europe, leveraging Schaeffler Group's capabilities in product development, manufacturing, and industrialization. Alongside Pelaz, Manfred Homm serves as CTO, and Dr. Christopher Koth as interim CFO.
Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, stated: "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 ... to expanding Schaeffler Group's defence and space business and shaping this important new growth field for the future."
Schaeffler AG aims to achieve a ten percent share of revenue in new growth areas outside its core business by 2035, including humanoid robotics, defence, and New Space. The appointment underscores Schaeffler's strategic commitment to these sectors as a Motion Technology Company.
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