Freudenberg NOK-Sealing Technologies, a provider of custom sealing technologies, announced plans to expand its operations in Morristown, Indiana, creating up to 75 new jobs by 2019.
“Indiana’s reputation as a manufacturing leader continues to attract investment and new jobs,” said Governor Mike Pence. “With more than twenty facilities across the country, Freudenberg-NOK’s decision to expand its operations here in the Hoosier State is no coincidence. Our low-cost business climate and highly-skilled workforce assures companies from across the globe that Indiana is a state that fuels economic growth and works for the future of advanced manufacturing.”
Freudenberg-NOK will invest $20 million to expand its existing 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 487 W Main St. by 20,000 square feet. The additional space and equipment will increase the plant’s manufacturing operations, which are expected to grow by approximately 40 percent over the next five years. The investment will also be used to enhance the facility’s exterior, including parking and driveways for semi-trucks, to improve safety.
The company, which currently employs 266 full-time Indiana residents in Morristown, will begin hiring immediately. Applicants for hourly production positions may apply through Kelly Services’ onsite office in the Freudenberg-NOK Morristown facility. Applicants for salaried supervisory and administrative positions can visit the Freudenberg-NOK website at www.fst.com/career to learn more.
“Freudenberg-NOK’s Morristown facility provides highly-engineered, custom sealing components to general industry and automotive customers in the Americas and around the world,” said Dr. Theodore G. Duclos, president of Freudenberg-NOK. “It is absolutely essential that we invest in this facility and its work with what has become a burgeoning customer base. We are happy to invest in the success of this facility and the greater Morristown region. This expansion will help us better serve crucial markets with highly innovative, quality products.”
The Freudenberg-NOK Morristown plant produces more than 100 million components annually for both automotive and general industry customers, including off-set seals, transmission seals, fuel system seals, driveline seals and diaphragms. Founded in 1989, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is a joint venture between German-based Freudenberg and Co. and Japan-based NOK Corp with more than 20 facilities across the United States, including a second Indiana facility in Shelbyville.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Freudenberg NOK-Sealing Technologies up to $625,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Morristown will consider additional incentives at the request of the Shelby County Economic Development Corporation.
“We welcome the expansion of Freudenberg NOK in our community,” said David Benefiel, president of the Morristown Town Council. “We look forward to working with them in the future as we have in the past.”
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 – through its Automotive, Merkel, Process Seals and Simrit sales channels – 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, Michigan, and operates more than 20 facilities across the Americas. For additional information, please visit www.fnst.com.
About the Freudenberg Group
The Freudenberg Group is a family-owned company offering customers technologically advanced and support-intensive products and servces. The Group develops and manufactures seals, vibration control technology components, filters, nonwovens, surface treatment products, release agents and specialty lubricants, medical technology and mechatronic products. Freudenberg also develops software solutions and IT services primarily for small and medium-sized enterprises. Consumers enjoy Freudenberg’s state-of-the-art household products marketed under the vileda®, O-Cedar®, Wettex®, Gala®, Marigold® and SWASH® brands. In 2014, the Freudenberg Group had 40,456 employees in 57 countries and generated revenue of more than $9.3 billion. More information is available at www.freudenberg.com.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, focusing on helping companies grow in and locate to the state. Governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.