The Freudenberg Business Group Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, one of the world's leading seal manufacturers, has invested about €10 million, in Bursa, Turkey and has inaugurated a new plant today. "We offer advanced technologies in line with customers' needs. This step will allow us to engage in even closer partnership with a large number of automakers with production plants in the area and other industrial companies. In addition, we will be establishing a firm position in a strategically promising market," said Dr. Mohsen Sohi, CEO of the Freudenberg Group. The plant is located in the HOYAB industrial estate and has an area of about 14,000 square meters. It will supply products to a wide variety of industries including the automotive, agricultural, energy and engineering sectors.
"With this investment in Bursa, we have created one of the most advanced plants in our global production network and almost doubled our local capacity," said Claus Möhlenkamp, CEO of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. The facility meets the latest safety and environmental protection requirements and is also equipped with special earthquake protection measures.
The Turkish automobile industry is a key market for the Freudenberg Group. According to official figures, production grew by 16 percent and exports by 12 percent in 2015 compared with the previous year. Bursa accounts for two thirds of the about 800,000 vehicles produced in Turkey each year. Freudenberg Sealing Technologies also sees growth in target markets such as the energy, mining, metal-processing, machinery and construction industries. "Turkey is a geographically important interface between East and West and is therefore interesting for the development of our business with the Middle East," Möhlenkamp said.
In 2004, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies commissioned a smaller plant producing precision seals for the bearing industry in Bursa. This plant has now been integrated into the new facility. About 220 employees produce a range of products here, including encoders, bearing seals, radial shaft seal rings and cassette seals that are used in engines and transmissions.
"With our new, large facility here in Bursa, we can supply our customers in the region more quickly and directly with proven, high-quality products from Freudenberg that demonstrate our innovative power," said Erdi Ceyhan, President Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Turkey. "Production, administration, sales, logistics and warehousing are now located here in Bursa. In this way, potential synergies can be fully exploited We are making a key contribution to the business development of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies."
In Turkey, Freudenberg is also represented by other Business Groups, such as Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions, Freudenberg Chemical Specialities (Klüber Lubrication) and Freudenberg Performance Materials, as well as the Vibracoustic and EagleBurgmann joint ventures.