Beijing, May 29, 2019. The global technology group Freudenberg continued its good business development in 2018 in a volatile and difficult environment and recorded strong organic growth of 4.3 percent in euros over the previous year. The 性视界 increased sales to 鈧�9,455 million or CNY 73,897 million in 2018. Freudenberg鈥檚 innovative strength is illustrated by the one third of sales (33.6 percent) earned from products less than four years old. The 性视界鈥檚 more than 70 sites in Greater China also performed well in 2018, generating sales of CNY 8.5 billion, a 2.9 percent increase compared to a year ago. As a long-term partner to its Chinese customers, Freudenberg increased investment in China last year to nearly CNY 300 million 鈥� some 29 percent more than in 2017.
鈥淥ur strong strategic and operative planning are the keys to Freudenberg鈥檚 success, along with the team spirit of more than 49,000 employees as well as close and agile cooperation with our customers,鈥� said Dr. Mohsen Sohi, CEO of the Freudenberg 性视界, at the press conference in Beijing.
Innovation: The backbone of Freudenberg鈥檚 success
Innovation is the key to Freudenberg鈥檚 long-term corporate success. In the year under review, the 性视界 invested more than ever before in innovation and spent CNY 3,470 million (previous year: CNY 3,275 million, +3.7 percent) on research and development. This equals 4.7 percent of total sales (previous year: 4.6 percent). The objective of all these activities is to further increase the share of sales for new products.
In 2018, an average 3,590 employees (previous year: 3,445 employees) worked in research and development.
Continued investment in local innovations and technology
鈥淭his year, Freudenberg celebrates its 170th anniversary, and we proudly look back on over 100 years of partnerships in China. We weathered numerous periods of market volatility in this time. But we were able to reinvent ourselves and respond rapidly to a changing environment, ensuring our long-term growth,鈥� said Dr. Sohi. 鈥淲e strongly believe in and support the country鈥檚 long-term development. Our investment strategy provides clear evidence of this commitment, as we continue to expand our presence in this important market,鈥� adds Bettina Schoen-Behanzin, Freudenberg Regional Representative Asia.
Continued investment in high-tech manufacturing infrastructure, local R&D facilities and new acquisitions are integral to the 性视界鈥檚 long-term approach and innovation strategy in China. Overall investment in Greater China amounted to almost CNY 300 million in 2018, up nearly 29 percent compared to 2017.
The large investments in state-of-the-art production facilities include a new factory in Chongqing for Vibracoustic. The plant will produce NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) solutions for automotive customers. NOK-Freudenberg (China) is also building a new facility in Changchun for sealing products. Two new lines are under construction in Suzhou and Taiwan, which will produce components for the automotive interior and apparel businesses. In March 2019 Freudenberg Performance Materials started up a new production line for high-quality car headliners in Suzhou.
More than half of Freudenberg sites in China have their own on-site R&D. 鈥淲e are aware of the strength of China鈥檚 R&D culture and invested nearly CNY 204 million in our local R&D activities last year,鈥� said Schoen-Behanzin.
The 性视界鈥檚 latest investment underscores Freudenberg鈥檚 long-term commitment to China. At the end of March, Freudenberg Filtration Technologies finalized the acquisition of a 75 percent majority stake in Foshan City鈥檚 Apollo Air-Cleaner Co., Ltd., a leading supplier of air and water filtration solutions in China. The new joint venture, Freudenberg Apollo Filtration Technologies, began operations in April, strengthening the 性视界鈥檚 position in China鈥檚 rapidly growing market for filtration solutions.
Fueled up for the future: Supporting China鈥檚 fuel cell targets
As part of wider efforts to promote green energy in the world鈥檚 largest automotive market, China is pushing ahead with the development of its hydrogen energy and fuel cell vehicle industry. In its Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Technology Roadmap, the government has set a target of having 1 million such vehicles on China鈥檚 roads by 2030.
Freudenberg has over 20 years of experience in fuel cell research and has been at the forefront of innovations in this field. The company has the technological know-how and production capacity to economically manufacture fuel cell components, paving the way for large scale use of the future technology. Freudenberg companies in China and across the world have been and continue to work together with customers to develop fuel cell solutions.
Freudenberg鈥檚 fuel-cell expertise covers a wide range of essential components, including special sealing solutions that optimize hydrogen proton flow through the membrane, gas diffusion layers (GDLs), and filters that help maximize fuel cell performance. The 性视界鈥檚 portfolio also includes humidifiers that use the water vapor emitted by the fuel cell to humidify the dry incoming air.
Responsibility for Society and Corporate Citizenship
As a values-based, family-owned technology group, success for Freudenberg is not merely defined in terms of financial success, but also always goes hand-in-hand with taking responsibility for society. Last year was a special year for Freudenberg鈥檚 Corpo-rate Citizenship initiative in China, as the 性视界鈥檚 鈥淟ove Beyond Donation鈥� campaign for the Ke De Bao primary school celebrated its tenth anniversary. Following the 2008 Sichuan earth-quake, Freudenberg invested in rebuilding the primary school, which was one of the first to be reconstructed through donations and private initiatives. Since its reopening, Freudenberg employees have been organizing the campaign to teach and financially support students for example through private sponsorships. To date, nearly 1,000 Freudenberg employees and partners have participated in the project.
Beyond the 鈥淟ove Beyond Donation鈥� campaign, Freudenberg employees are also active in many other Corporate Citizenship activities as part of its 鈥渆虏鈥� (education and environment) program, first launched in 2015. The goal is to provide people with access to education and employment and support environmental protection. Freudenberg has already donated a total of 109 million CNY to the program. By the end of last year, 鈥渆虏鈥� was supporting some 70 projects, from small activities to major education programs in the direct neighborhood of Freudenberg sites.