 |
 |
The Freudenberg Group
){kind=small}
Figure: The Freudenberg Group
Freudenberg is an internationally-oriented family company with a broad range of products spanning seals and vibration control components, nonwovens, mechanical household cleaning products and chemical specialities.
Most companies in the Group supply products to various branches of industry. With a share of 41 percent, the automotive industry is the largest customer grouping, followed by the general industry sector. Freudenberg has acquired a reputation as a Technology Specialist for seals and vibration control technology, holds a leading position in the field of automotive interior filters, and also supplies backing for automotive carpeting, engine compartment insulation and auto headliners. Freudenberg lubricants and release agents are used in the automotive industry and many other applications.
A further important sector for Freudenberg is the textile and clothing industry. Freudenberg nonwovens keep garments in good shape, are fitted in power station filters, separate the anode from the cathode in high-performance batteries and insulate cables. In the construction industry, Freudenberg nonwovens are used as carrier material for roofing felts or for insulation and soundproofing in metal-profile ceilings.
Some 25 percent of Freudenberg products are sold direct to final users. The best-known are household products, sold worldwide under the vileda® brand name, or the nora® brand rubber floorcoverings found in over 150 airports all over the world.
The service companies in the Freudenberg Group operate industrial parks, relocate industrial businesses and carry out research commissions. As an IT service provider, Freudenberg has over 25 years’ experience in the application, operation and further development of SAP systems. The service companies are active both inside the Freudenberg Group and externally, with external activities enjoying growing success.
Freudenberg is a family company; it is owned by some 300 heirs to the founding father Carl Johann Freudenberg. The Partnership Agreement secures the financial independence of the company. The executive bodies of the limited partnership – the Management Board, the Board of Partners and the Partners Meeting – have responsibilities similar to those of the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders Meeting in German corporations.
For Freudenberg, the term “family company” refers to more than just the shareholder structure. Freudenberg sets high standards in its contacts with customers, associates and the environment. Values such as long-standing personal relations, conscientiousness and trust play an important role. Combined with innovative strength, prudent entrepreneurship and the ability for constant change, these values have been a foundation for success for more than 150 years.
Freudenberg sees itself as an enterprising corporation. Operative business is the responsibility of stand-alone companies whose management conducts business autonomously. The individual companies are allocated to one of several Business Groups which in turn belong to one of four Business Areas. The parent company Freudenberg & Co. acts as a management holding. The parent company’s Corporate Functions (departments) control, coordinate and monitor the activities of the Group and provide advice and support to Group companies.
The Management Board is jointly responsible for the management of the Freudenberg Group.