Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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Freudenberg Group sustains success in India

In the 165th year of its history, Freudenberg - parent company of Vileda Professional, was more successful than ever before. In the 2013 financial year, the group reported record global sales for the fourth year in succession, totalling approximately €6,622.5 million, (2012: €6,321.7 million). This represents an increase of almost €300.8 million or 4.8%.

Adjusted for the effects of acquisitions and disinvestments amounting to €148.1 million and exchange rate effects, sales increased by 5.4% €338.9 million. The consolidated profit amounted to €401.5 million and reflected a significant improvement in business operations compared to the previous year (2012: €432.7 million), which included one-off extraordinary items. As of December 31, 2013, the Group employed 39,897 people (previous year: 37,453).

So far this year alone, the company expanded it plants in Jacarei and Diadema (Brazil), established a joint venture in South Korea and opened a new production facility in Chennai.

Speaking at a recent press conference in Bangalore, Dr. Jorg Matthias Grossmann, Regional Representative India of the Freudenberg Group and Chief Financial Officer of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities, reported that the Group - which has a direct presence in 32 locations and employs 3,453 associates in India - had successfully withstood the challenging economic conditions in the region in 2013. Compared with 2012, sales rose slightly to Rs. 1,128 crore (previous year: Rs. 1,114 crore). He said:

"We are investing steadily in this key market to which we are committed in the long term. The solid development of Freudenberg Group companies in India will have a sustainable positive impact on the entire group in the long run.

"A dedicated innovation culture is one essential cornerstone of the Freudenberg values and principles. In 2013, the group invested Rs. 1,934 crore into R&D aiming to foster its innovative potential. Freudenberg companies in India have proven to be highly valued sources for innovation."

Although the 'No Dust Broom' is a household application, it illustrates just how much difference innovation can make... Indian specialists from Freudenberg Gala Household Products developed this new cleaning tool specifically for the Indian market in cooperation with German and Italian teams. More than 250 million households in India use brooms made from natural grass to sweep floors. Since these brooms tend to lose grass seeds, causing fine particles to spread, engineers developed synthetic substitutes, copying bionic principles but with an improved performance.

www.freudenberg.in / www.freudenberg.de

5th June 2014