Freudenberg Expands in Findlay

Freudenberg-NOK plans to expand Findlay, Ohio facility to
accommodate new manufacturing processes, products
Plant expansion will bring new industrial jobs to the area
The heart of American manufacturing is beating strong in Findlay, Ohio where Freudenberg-NOK
Sealing Technologies plans to expand its automotive sealing facility and hire new employees to
meet increasing customer requirements for quality components.
Freudenberg-NOK’s Findlay plant produces approximately 700 high performance plastic parts for
customers including vehicle manufacturers and tier one and two suppliers using state-of-the art
manufacturing processes. Company executives today officially announced the company will
pursue a 43,000-foot factory expansion that could result in retaining 148 jobs and creating 25 new
jobs at the plant. Final company decisions are dependent on formal approval of all State of Ohio
workforce and incentive programs.
The company expects to invest approximately $8.6 million in construction and equipment
upgrades and the expansion and construction will be complete by winter, 2015.
Roy Schroeder, Lead Center Manager, Fluid Power Automotive, Findlay (left) and Dr. Theodore G. Duclos,
president, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, look over s small press at the company’s Findlay, Ohio
facility.
“Freudenberg-NOK’s Findlay facility is a benchmark for lean manufacturing and production of
quality components so it is not surprising that escalating customer demand offers us tremendous
new opportunities for business expansion in Ohio,” said Dr. Theodore G. Duclos, president,
Freudenberg-NOK.
“We are happy to invest in the success of this facility and the greater Findlay community with this
construction. We anticipate that this expansion will help us better serve existing and new
customers with quality sealing products.”
Freudenberg-NOK leaders have worked with JobsOhio, state and local officials on incentives to
support the expansion.
Freudenberg-NOK and its Findlay operations are considered a top employer in Hancock County,
and the plant was a finalist in the IndustryWeek 2014 Best Plants competition last year. The
competition annually recognizes the best manufacturing plants in North America.
“Freudenberg-NOK’s decision to expand its Findlay facility and workforce demonstrates how
companies throughout the world view Ohio as a great investment,” said JobsOhio Managing
Director Glenn Richardson. “JobsOhio and the Regional Growth Partnership look forward to
working closely with Freudenberg-NOK as they expand their presence in Hancock County.”
“Freudenberg-NOK’s decision to expand the Findlay operation is true testimony to the positive
business climate and outstanding workforce in Findlay and Hancock County,” said FindlayHancock County Economic Development Director Anthony Iriti. “We are proud to be a part of
their success and continued investment in our community.”
Findlay maintains nearly perfect statistics in the areas of quality, delivery and customer retention.
Equally important, Findlay has become the company’s lead facility in the successful adoption of a
new breakthrough manufacturing approach, Single Cavity Net Shape Molding. The single cavity
approach uses compact, custom-engineered one cavity injection and compression molding
machines rather than multi-cavity machines to produce crucial thermoplastic parts. The process
improves part quality and reduces scrap and waste.
“This project is a tremendous testament to the skills of our people and the success of our
processes in Findlay,” said Roy Schroeder, Lead Center Manager, Fluid Power Automotive,
Findlay. “This plant expansion will allow us to continue our pursuit of world-class manufacturing
processes and products and expand our markets. We are all excited about the opportunities this
addition will bring to our facility, and we are looking forward to its completion and the addition of
new employees to our plant family.”
Findlay’s expansion will help the facility increase its compression and injection molding product
production which includes seal rings, thrust washers, pistons and assemblies.
The plant currently manufacturers 185 million seals and related components annually and
anticipates the new addition will increase production by approximately 25 percent a year.
Freudenberg-NOK will host a formal groundbreaking celebration in June at the Findlay facility.
Media and community residents will be invited to attend the event.
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