Freudenberg to close US plant, transfer production and jobs nearby

ERJ staff report (R&PN)

Franklin, New Hampshire -- Freudenberg-NOK G.P. will close its rubber transmission parts plant in Franklin within the next six months and consolidate production at the nearby facilty in Bristol, according to Craig T. Barnhart, Freudenberg general manager for gaskets.

All 66 workers at Franklin will be transferred to Bristol, Barnhart said. About 190 workers currently work at Bristol.

Soft demand was behind the decision to close the Franklin plant, according to Barnhart.

"The auto industry is about 35 to 40 percent down from historic levels," he said. "We're making a lot fewer parts than we used to, and we needed to reduce our fixed costs."

Last October, Freudenberg announced it would phase out production at its automotive seals facility in Laconia, New Hampshire, laying off some 120 workers there. The company does not plan any further plant closings or consolidations at this time, Barnhart said.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)