Sustainability and Systematic Development are Freudenberg's Recipe for Success in China
Innovative HR marketing at sites as a competitive factor
Beijing, 26 November 2007: China is and remains one of the most important growth markets for the Freudenberg Group, and that is born out by the average growth rate of at least 25 percent (PR China) which is expected for 2007. The German family company is backing this rapid rise in sales turnover by way of a development concept based on sustainability and investments in the expansion of existing locations and also the setting up of new ones. Since 2000, together with its partners in the region, the Group has invested around RMB 1.2 billion in production plants and distribution, and a further RMB 250 million are planned for the coming months.
So preparations are currently under way for the setting up of a new Freudenberg company in Yantai for the production of air springs, which is planned for 2008, and which in the mid-term is expected to employ up to 200 workers. In addition, in 2007, plants which already existed, such as those for the production of non-woven fabric, were expanded. Further investments in the site at Suzhou in this business field are planned for 2008. Besides the development and expansion of the technical infrastructure, targeted measures for the recruitment and development of HR in particular play a key role in the development concept of the Freudenberg Group.
"Within the last five years, we have more than doubled the volume of business in China, which on the one hand, underlines the significance of this region, but on the other hand, also makes enormous demands on the organizational development of the Freudenberg companies which are active here," said Hanno D. Wentzler, President & CEO of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities KG on Monday 26 November 2007 at a press conference in Beijing. "One particular challenge is to cover our exponentially growing needs of employees, as well as to attract them for a long term commitment to the group." This is why Freudenberg works in close cooperation with a variety of universities, including the Tsinghua University, Tonji University, Fudan University, Jilin University, and several others. Wentzler is the mentor who has been involved in the partnership with Tsinghua University, which goes as far back as the 1990s and the objectives of which are the further training of students in an international environment, and also to provide support and encouragement for talented trainees.
The Freudenberg Group can look back on over 100 years of business relations with customers in China, and around 25 years ago they set up the first subsidiary companies in China, some of which they achieved together with their partners. Today, the company employs approximately 3,600 staff at 14 production sites and 26 local offices. The company's joint venture partner (NOK) operates a further 7 production plants and employs about another 5,200 employees.
The group reacts to the rapid development of the Chinese economy not only by way of investments, but also with an improved coordination of activities at the individual Freudenberg companies. Consequently, there is a range of interdisciplinary working groups and also a centrally coordinated HR management, all under the leadership of the regional representative specially appointed for the region, Hanno D. Wentzler.
"As a family business, Freudenberg is known for its sustainability and long-term development," says Hanno Wentzler. "For us, the same high standards of quality, cutting-edge technology and careful use of resources apply in China as at all other locations around the world."
"Occupational health and safety is an equally important topic for Freudenberg as the training and development of our employees," adds Rolf Koehler, Freudenberg's Director of HR in China. Global quality standards are the Freudenberg Group's main objective, and especially so in regions in which explosive economic growth appears to dominate events on the market, and probably also the company's principles of activity. One example of this is the Freudenberg conference on occupational safety and environmental issues, which begins on 27 November 2007 in Suzhou under the title of "Human & Workplace Safety". In international comparisons, the Freudenberg Group is one of the world's best in terms of occupational safety.
The fact that these high standards of quality, cutting-edge technology and customer-orientation are also actually being implemented in the Freudenberg subgroups is demonstrated, for example, by two of the nine Freudenberg business groups in China. James Wei, General Manager of the specialist lubricant manufacturer, Klüber Lubrication China Ltd., outlined the significance of modern lubricants in the increase in productivity and competitiveness of Chinese industry, while demands on environmental sustainability and conservation of resources are simultaneously on the increase. And Joanna Zhao, General Manager of Freudenberg Household Products Ltd., explained the Chinese consumers' changing demands on household cleaning and care products, and demonstrated how Chinese consumers are being made aware of the world-renowned consumer goods brand vileda®.
About Freudenberg
Freudenberg is a Germany based family company offering its customers technically challenging product solutions and services. With a share of approx. 40 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 backings for automotive carpeting, engine compartment insulation and auto headliners. 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, where Freudenberg Nonwovens keep garments in good shape, are fitted in power station filters etc. Some Freudenberg products are sold direct to final users. The best-known are household products, sold worldwide under the vileda brand name. With approx. 170 production and sales locations in 53 countries and its business partnership, the company is present in all of the world's major markets. Consolidated annual sales of the Freudenberg Group exceed 5 billion Euros and the company employs 33.500 people worldwide.
Contact partner in China:
Rolf H. Koehler
Director Human Resources Asia
Freudenberg Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
International Shipping and Finance Building
720 Pudong Avenue, Suite 24N
SHANGHAI 200120, PR China
Tel + 86 21 5036 6805
Fax + 86 21 5036 6802
Rolf.koehler@freudenberg.com.cn
For further information:
Cornelia Buchta-Noack
Freudenberg & Co.
Kommanditgesellschaft
Externe Kommunikation
Tel. 0 62 01 - 80 40 94
Fax 0 62 01 - 88 40 94
cornelia.buchta-noack@freudenberg.de
Michelle Xu
Assistant
Freudenberg Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
International Shipping and Finance Building
720 Pudong Avenue, Suite 24N
SHANGHAI 200120, PR China
Tel + 86 21 5036 6803
Fax + 86 21 5036 6802
Michelle.Xu@freudenberg.com.cn
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