On 17 July 2007, the automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG (ZF) announced that it is to create 1200 jobs in Germany by the end of 2007. Mr Härter, Chairman of the firm's board, stated that the restructuring measures of the past had allowed for greater flexibility within the firm, which in turn had paved the way for the creation of new jobs. The job creation is part of a European wide expansion strategy. ZF employs around 55,000 employees in 25 countries.