Freudenberg-NOK Expands Material Science Capabilities With Addition Of New Laboratory In Findlay

Plant expansion groundbreaking ceremony taking place today

Findlay, OH /PRNewswire/ - Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, already a world leader in the analysis and testing of industrial elastomers and plastics, will increase its testing capabilities with the addition of a new materials laboratory at its Findlay, Ohiomanufacturing plant.

The new laboratory, part of an overall plant expansion taking place in 2015, will provide the company's Fluid Power Division with new material characterization, failure analysis and mechanical property test capabilities. It also will consolidate and expand an existing engineering test laboratory at the facility.

"Research and development are core values at Freudenberg-NOK and this laboratory investment supports the company's mission, customers and markets," said Dr. Theodore G. Duclos, president, Freudenberg-NOK. "We continue to invest in our scientific material competencies in order to solve ever more complex global system challenges and to remain an essential leader in material developments and the sealing industry."

Findlay's expansion, announced last month, will add 43,000 square feet to the existing factory. The new lab will account for approximately 2,000 square feet of the total and represents an investment of approximately$450,000 in equipment and building expenses. The entire project will create 25 new jobs at the Findlay plant and represents an investment of approximately $8.6 million in construction and equipment upgrades. It will be complete by winter, 2015.

The company officially celebrated the expansion today in a groundbreaking ceremony at the plant with company executives, elected officials, employees and media. The Findlay facility produces approximately 700 high performance plastic parts for customers including vehicle manufacturers and tier one and two suppliers using state-of-the art manufacturing processes.

The new laboratory will perform analysis and testing of parts the plant is making from high performance plastics. These include thrust washers, seals and other components used in the automotive industry. In addition, the company is installing a new engineering test rig in the lab that will measure torque loss. The data will help Freudenberg-NOK further improve custom engineered sealing solutions that are reducing CO2emissions and improving fuel economy.

The Findlay expansion will result in creation of 25 new jobs including chemist, chemical engineer and quality technician positions. The company worked with the state of Ohio, including the Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development authority, Jobs Ohio and the Regional Growth Partnership on workforce incentives.

Freudenberg-NOK and its Findlay operations are considered a top employer in Hancock County, and the plant was a finalist in the IndustryWeek 2014 Best Plants competition last year. The competition annually recognizes the best manufacturing plants in North America. Findlay maintains nearly perfect statistics in the areas of quality, delivery and customer retention.

Findlay also has become the company's lead facility in the successful adoption of a new breakthrough manufacturing approach, Single Cavity Net Shape Molding. The single cavity approach uses compact, custom-engineered one cavity injection and compression molding machines rather than multi-cavity machines to produce crucial thermoplastic parts. The process improves part quality and reduces scrap and waste.

"The addition of the new laboratory and testing capabilities at the Findlay facility will help us meet customer demands for components that function flawlessly in even the most rigorous and even unanticipated environmental conditions," said Roy Schroeder, Lead Center Manager, Fluid Power Automotive, Findlay. "We are delighted that Freudenberg-NOK is investing in our facility, our people and our community."

Findlay's expansion will help the facility increase its compression and injection molding product production which includes seal rings, thrust washers, pistons and assemblies. The plant currently manufacturers 185 million seals and related components annually and anticipates the new addition will increase production by approximately 25 percent a year.

About Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies
Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is the Americas joint venture between Freudenberg and Co. inGermany and NOK Corp. in Japan. Freudenberg-NOK is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for a variety of markets including: aerospace; agriculture; appliance; automotive; construction; diesel engine; energy; food and beverage; heavy industry; and pharmaceutical. Founded in 1989 under the legal name Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership, Freudenberg-NOK is headquartered in Plymouth, Mich.and operates more than 20 facilities. For additional information, please visit www.fnst.com.