New Oil Seals Portfolio Shifts Freudenberg-NOK's Querétaro, Mexico Plant Into High Gear
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Company anticipates 400 percent increase in production by 2017
PLYMOUTH, Mich. РJust over a year ago, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies added a new business line to its Quer̩taro, Mexico plant. The new portfolio, consisting of engine, transmission and driveline oil seals, will become the crucial product foundation of what the company expects to be a 400 percent increase in production at the facility by 2017.
The Querétaro facility supplies to several Japanese engine customers as well as major automakers, for which Freudenberg-NOK provides front wheel drive transmission parts. Although production of the new business line only began in 2014, sales are expected to grow rapidly, along with overall Mexican auto production. By the end of 2015, industry sources estimate that Mexico will pass Japan and Canada to become the top source of imported cars by the U.S.
“We’ve seen increased requests for production in Mexico, and our company is expanding production to meet those requests,” said Gary VanWambeke, General Manager, Global Transmission and Driveline Lead Center, Freudenberg-NOK. “Just six months after beginning the process to install the necessary machinery to produce oil seals, we had 58 pieces of equipment running and 2.4 million parts delivered.”
In addition to having favorable business results with top automakers, the plant has had more successes of its own. During the past year that the facility has operated, it has been free from accidents and customer complaints, all while achieving a perfect on-time-delivery score. A large part of the success can be attributed to the facility’s associates who adapted well to change.
“Our team is passionate and proud of the work we do, which is reflected in a stable, exemplary performance and a very quick turnaround from the time of an order to its delivery,” said Luis Pardo, the plant’s manager. “The morale and camaraderie is incredible, and we’ve introduced several new concepts to keep that spirit, as well as a motto of ‘one company, one team’.”
Freudenberg-NOK’s successful decision to relocate a portion of its automotive sealing to Mexico can be credited, in part, to its global business philosophy - establish a manufacturing presence in a country and integrate into the business community.
“Our company does not establish regional operations on the basis of low cost labor opportunities,” said Torsten Maschke, President, Automotive Sales and Marketing, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. “We pursue investments where our company can become a local supplier focused on local customer needs. We strive to become part of a country’s manufacturing fabric.”
And by integrating into the Mexican industry, Freudenberg-NOK’s Querétaro location has become one of the company’s fastest growing facilities. Numbers are expected to continue growing as Mexico increases its exporting trend and as automakers continue moving production to the country.
About Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies
Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is the Americas joint venture between Freudenberg and Co. in Germany 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 across the Americas. For additional information, please visit www.fnst.com.
Media Contacts:
Cheryl Eberwein, Director, Media Relations
Office: +1 734 354 7373
Cell: +1 248 767 1068
E-Mail: cheryl.eberwein@fnst.com
Kevin Soisson, Communications Specialist
Office: +1 734 354 5328
E-Mail: kevin.soisson@fnst.com
Leslie Dagg / Adriana Van Duyn, Bianchi PR
Office: +1 248 269 1122
E-Mail: ldagg@bianchipr.com  / avanduyn@bianchipr.com
