Freudenberg buys leading Australian sealing solutions distributor

Weinheim, September 2, 2015. The Freudenberg Group is on track to grow its sealing business in Australia. The Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Business Group is taking over Ludowici Sealing Solutions Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland, with immediate effect. The family-owned company is the market leader in the distribution of hydraulic and pneumatic seals in Australia. "With this acquisition, our Sealing Technologies Business Group will be able to widen its global distribution network for sealing solutions in the industrial sector and in the automotive replacement parts business in Australia," explains Dr. Mohsen Sohi, Freudenberg Group CEO. "From there, we can extend our distribution network throughout Southeast Asia."

Ludowici Sealing Solutions employs some 40 people and, in addition to its headquarters in Brisbane has five further offices in Australia. The company offers its customers some 50,000 products – chiefly among them hydraulic and pneumatic seals such as piston seals, O-rings, and rod and wiper seals. "Furthermore, the company has extensive expertise in the mining industry," says Claus Möhlenkamp, CEO at Sealing Technologies.

The acquisition means that Freudenberg Sealing Technologies will also be able to expand its Freudenberg Xpress business, an excellent service that offers machined seals from regular production original materials and original profiles for replacement parts, prototypes and small production runs.

The Ludowici Group was originally founded as a tannery in 1858 by Johann Carl Ludowici, a German migrant. In the 1880`s, the company moved into the sealing business.

About Freudenberg Sealing Technologies

As the leading specialist in sealing applications and their market, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is a supplier as well as a development and service partner serving customers in a wide variety of sectors including the automotive industry, civil aviation, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, the food and pharmaceuticals industries, and agricultural and construction machinery.

Based on the Simmerring® which was developed by Freudenberg in 1929, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has built up a broad and continuously expanding range of seals and vibration control technology products – from customized solutions to complete sealing packages. Together with its partners NOK Corporation, Japan, Sigma Freudenberg NOK, India, and NOK-Freudenberg Group China, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has formed a global network with the aim of offering products of the same high quality.

In addition, Schwab, Dichtomatik and Corteco fall under the Freudenberg Sealing Technologies umbrella. Schwab is a leading supplier of technology for vibration control components, wind energy solutions, agricultural and construction machinery and other industries. Dichtomatik is Freudenberg's sales organization in the market for technical seals. Corteco is the Freudenberg Group specialist for the independent automotive aftermarket specializing in spare parts for seals and vibration control as well as service parts such as cabin air filters.

About the Freudenberg Group

Freudenberg is a global technology group that strengthens its customers and society long-term through forward-looking innovations. Together with its partners, customers and the world of science, the Freudenberg Group develops leading-edge technologies, and excellent products, solutions and services for more than 30 market segments and for thousands of applications: seals, vibration control components, nonwovens, filters, specialty chemicals, medical and mechatronic products, IT services and the most modern cleaning products.

Innovation strength, strong customer orientation, diversity and team spirit are the cornerstones of our Group. Commitment to excellence, reliability and pro-active, responsible action belong to the company's core values lived for more than 165 years.

In 2014, the Freudenberg Group employed over 40,000 people in some 60 countries worldwide and generated sales of more than 7 billion Euros (including pro-rata consolidation of 50:50 joint ventures). For more information, please visit www.freudenberg.com.