Ball Bearing Billionaires

This week, Forbes came out with their annual list of the world's Billionaires. I was shocked not to see many of you on this list, as I am sure you were equally shocked not to see me.

https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/

I must say, I was delighted to see 'one of our own' (perhaps I'm taking some license in saying that) right up there with all the high-tech giants and government friendly oligopolists... At #21, right after Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google fame, is Georg Schaeffler. Source of wealth: BALL BEARINGS. Fantastic.

For all of us in the business, BALL BEARINGS is quite the simplification of the source of wealth of the Schaeffler empire, but it's good publicity nonetheless. This seems to understate the innovations and contributions Schaeffler has made to industry over the last century, but it's better than nothing I suppose.

From my experience, the general public use the terms 'ball bearing' and 'steel ball' interchangeably. I always enjoy that look which accompanies the question: "You have 18 stores dedicated to the sale of ball bearings?" - that's when I know the person I'm talking to is picturing warehouses full of Rube Goldberg machines chugging away spitting marbles into bins, boxes, and vats, and leaving the back door in box cars on rails going who knows where.

Imagine the look on their faces when they see Herr Schaeffler at #21 on the list. It's nice to get a little publicity for our industry. Congrats to the Schaefflers.