Freudenberg in China: Focus on long-term commitment and China‘s “strategic industries”

Beijing, May 18, 2016. Despite the slow-down in China’s overall economic growth, Freudenberg has continued its successful path in the Greater China region, generating company sales of CNY 6 billion in 2015 (+0.4 percent compared to 2014). On a Euro basis, sales amounted to € 858 million, a plus of 18 percent compared to 2014. The region now represents about 11 percent of total global Freudenberg sales. “In its more than 166-year company history, Freudenberg has faced numerous episodes of market volatility. Endurance, innovative strength and the ability to respond rapidly to a changing environment have ensured our sustainable growth,” said Hanno D. Wentzler, Regional Representative Asia for the Freudenberg Group, at the company’s annual press conference on May 18 in Beijing. “We believe in a successful long-term development in China and will continue to expand our presence in this important market.”

As a diversified technology group, Freudenberg is optimally positioned to support China’s “strategic industries”. According to the Chinese government’s 13th Five-Year-Plan, these include renewable energies, mobility and agriculture. Furthermore, Freudenberg IT Asia offers services and IT solutions for modern manufacturing to support their customers, from automation all the way up to smart manufacturing in the sense of “Industry 4.0.” At the Beijing press conference, company experts gave a presentation showcasing some examples of these solutions from the Freudenberg portfolio. “Manufacturing companies make up the lion’s share of our customers,” said Bettina Schoen-Behanzin, General Manager, Freudenberg Regional Corporate Center Asia. “We are committed to innovating together with them to contribute to China’s industrial upgrade.”