The Freudenberg Group and NOK Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership

Back in 1960, when teenagers in the U.S. were captivated by a short-lived dance craze known as "the Twist," two companies – Freudenberg & Co. of Germany and the Nippon Oil Seal Industry Co. Ltd. (NOK) of Japan – were quietly joining into a partnership that has now entered its fifth decade and has grown into a $7 billion global enterprise.

"Fads come and go – in personal life and in business – but successful global partnerships like that of the Freudenberg Group and NOK Corp. are rare because of the long-term commitment and vision required," according to Joseph C. Day, chairman and CEO of Freudenberg-NOK G.P., the American segment of this global group.

"It takes many years and a strong commitment by the employees to achieve the unique relationship these two companies have created," Day said. "The kind of global cooperation they possess cannot be imitated overnight, it has to be built day after day, month after month and year after year through trust, respect and friendship."

In saluting the 40th anniversary of the successful partnership of these two leading manufacturing firms, Day acknowledged the remarkable, innovative vision of two executives – Dr. Hans Erich Freudenberg and Shogo Tsuru – who first brought the two companies together.

"The secret formula that created and continues to foster the prosperity of both Freudenberg and NOK is a philosophy of 'friends helping friends' employed over two generations of family leadership at both companies," Day said. "It's fascinating to think that the leaders of these two companies had the foresight to forge a global relationship long before most companies realized the importance of doing business globally."

Today, the group serves the automotive, textile and capital goods industries with almost 30,000 employees in 40 countries around the world. Its products range from vibration control devices to fine leather, from special lubricants to non-woven materials, and from automotive seals to household products. The partnership first initiated in 1960 has now expanded to 20 ventures in nine countries, including Freudenberg-NOK G.P. (the 11-year-old American company which is now the largest of the partnerships); NOK Kluber Co., Ltd.; NOK Megulastik Co., Ltd.; Simrax GmbH; and Freudenberg Mektec GmbH & Co. KG.

Day said that through open information interchange and a long-term focus, Freudenberg and NOK have spent the past four decades implementing common standards, production processes and business practices, so that all their operations around the world can work in unison toward a common goal – making its customers successful. Ultimately, Day said, helping customers to be successful is the key to the global group's future.

The Freudenberg Group, a wholly owned family enterprise, was established in 1849 and is headquartered in Weinheim, Germany. NOK Corp., was established in 1939 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Sharon Wenzl, Freudenberg-NOK