For the internationally active Freudenberg Group, the 2011 financial year was yet another successful year in India. At year-end 2011 sales had risen to Rs 956 crore (2010: Rs 794 crore), equivalent to an increase of more than 20 per cent compared with the previous year. In the first quarter of 2012, sales in India rose by almost 15 per cent compared with the same period of the previous year. In 2011 the number of employees in India rose by 20 per cent from 2,508 to 3,007. "The consistently very good performance of our Indian Business Groups was a significant factor in the above-average growth rates achieved by the entire Freudenberg Group," Dr Joerg Matthias Grossmann, Regional Representative of the Freudenberg Group in India and Chief Financial Officer of Freudenberg Chemical Specialities, said at the press conference in Bangalore. "The Freudenberg Group will consistently develop its activities in India and support its strategic objectives with appropriate investments. We are especially proud that we have been able to strategically expand our portfolio through the acquisition of Pyramid Filters Pvt Ltd in Pune."

The internationally active Freudenberg Group reported global sales of around Rs 39,396 crore in the 2011 financial year. Adjusted for exchange rate effects, this represents a rise of around 9.6 per cent compared to 2010 (Rs 33,109 crore). Consolidated profit increased to Rs 2,348 crore (2010: Rs 1,943 crore). The 2011 financial year was therefore Freudenberg's most successful year ever for sales and earnings. Profit from operations (EBIT) rose from Rs 2,601 crore in the financial year 2010 to Rs 3,315 crore in 2011, an increase of 27.5 per cent - also adjusted for exchange rate effects. To support business success, the total amount invested in research and development rose from Rs 1,061 crore in 2010 to Rs 1,322 crore in 2011.

"The above-average growth of the past few years highlights the prospects of Freudenberg in India. The Group has adopted a targeted approach to investment in both existing and new markets," Dr Grossmann explains. One of the largest current investments by Freudenberg in India is the new plant at Mysore. The Freudenberg Group companies, Chem-Trend Chemicals Co Pvt Ltd and Kl?ber Lubrication India Pvt Ltd are headquartered in Mysore and manufacture speciality lubricants, release agents and maintenance products under the Kl?ber Lubrication, Chem-Trend and OKS brands for the local and regional markets. By 2016 Freudenberg will have invested around Rs 130 crore in the new production plant, which covers an area of 40,000 sq.m. An additional 9,000 sq.m plot of land was acquired specifically for the new plant. The two companies at this location supply customers from a wide range of industries, including the automotive, energy and food industries, as well as wind energy. The Indian wind energy sector is one of the largest world-wide.

A further significant investment is being made in Pune. EagleBurgmann Pvt Ltd is expanding its production plant built in 2009 to include a new R&D centre. A fully-automated, computerized state-of-the-art test centre will be built to test seals for refineries, petro-chemical and chemical plants, as well as power stations and numerous other industries. Additional production facilities are also in the pipeline. The building is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2012.

The acquisition of Pyramid Filters Pvt Ltd of Pune by Freudenberg Filtration Technologies in April represents a significant investment in a strategic future market. Pyramid Filters develops air filter elements and systems for cleanroom applications in the pharmaceutical, medical, food and chemical industries. The company employs a total of 60 people at its manufacturing site in Pune.

The existing Management Board members of Freudenberg Technologies India Pvt Ltd, Gnanasekharan Ramesh and Rakesh Nathwani, are to be joined by Dr Kirti Kelkar, founder of Pyramid Filters India Pvt Ltd. Dr Kelkar will be responsible for the cleanroom business area.

Freudenberg Filtration Technologies India provides highly-efficient industrial and automotive filter elements and systems, as well as system solutions for the capacity and efficiency enhancement of gas turbines and compressors. The acquisition of Pyramid will allow the Business Group to expand its portfolio in India, not only offering the customer a comprehensive range of filters for suspended particles but also outstanding services and solutions for which Pyramid enjoys an excellent reputation in India. Customers will also benefit from Freudenberg's expertise in applications technology and its position as one of the market leaders in filtration technology world-wide.

Freudenberg has held business ties with customers and partners in India for almost 100 years. The Group has a workforce of more than 3,007 employees at 28 locations. Freudenberg generated sales in India of Rs 956 crore in the 2011 financial year.