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Freudenberg Group continues to invest

Freudenberg’s Nonwovens Business Group expands portfolio in interlinings with acquisition of Hänsel brand

Weinheim. July 31, 2014. The globally-active Freudenberg Group is to expand its know-how in the field of interlinings, in line with its “Buy and Build” strategy. The Freudenberg Nonwovens Business Group is acquiring the Hänsel brand interlinings business from Hänsel Textil GmbH, Iserlohn, Germany, with immediate effect. Hänsel is a high-quality and innovative interlinings specialist for the international fashion industry. The transaction involves the acquisition of the brand and all the patents, as well as the purchase of production plants for knits and the relevant distribution companies in Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Sri Lanka and Germany. Altogether around 90 employees who currently work in production and sales, as well as agents, will continue to serve Hänsel customers in 20 countries.

“With the Hänsel brand, Freudenberg is developing its strengths in interlinings,” explains Dr. Mohsen Sohi, Speaker of the Freudenberg Group Board of Management. “As a leading global manufacturer of highly-developed textiles, with Hänsel, we will be able to offer additional sophisticated interlining solutions.”

Hänsel offers numerous special interlinings for the manufacturers of ladies and mens’ outer garments, childrens’ wear and sports clothing. Products include genuine horse hair canvas, multi-zone interlinings or extremely light wovens and knits. In addition, the company supplies textiles with special characteristics for the most extreme applications such as garment dyes, enzyme washes or coatings with a low melting point for particular protection in the processing of the outer materials.

Internationally-renowned brand manufacturers process the high-quality interlinings from Hänsel. “The Hänsel brand stands for quality and innovation,” explains the Speaker of the Management Board of Freudenberg Nonwovens, Bruce Olson. “With the textile interlinings used throughout the fashion industry, we are extending our comprehensive portfolio and our know-how in the field of knitted fabrics in a future-oriented manner.” Additionally, Olson also sees an opportunity of being able to benefit from synergies in logistics and in purchasing.

Until now, Rudolf Loewen has been responsible for the interlinings business area at Hänsel Textil. He will remain responsible for this area in the future and will bring his know-how to the business with special knits, ensuring continuity. “In Freudenberg we have found a strong partner for the Hänsel brand, who also knows the market and the products,” explains Loewen. “Freudenberg is a guarantee for the long-term alignment of our business.” The take-over of employees in the areas of sales and distribution, customer service and applications technology, will ensure that the brand and brand quality will be continued.

The Hänsel brand stands for “Made in Germany” quality and meets all the international standards in the apparel industry. Hänsel interlinings are the only interlinings completely manufactured in Germany. The complete production process takes place at the site in Iserlohn – from weaving, knitting and coloring to equipment (stenter frames, napping machines, steamers etc.), coating, design and tape cutting. Finally, the innovative interlinings are distributed world-wide from a state-of-the-art logistics center. To guarantee the Hänsel quality in the future too, the products will continue to be manufactured from the existing sites in Germany.

Hänsel Tec’s business with technical textiles for the automotive, leather, or furniture industries are not affected by this acquisition.

About the Freudenberg Group
The Freudenberg Group is a family company offering its customers technically challenging product solutions and services. The Group develops and manufactures seals, vibration control components, filters, nonwovens, products for surface treatment, release agents and specialty lubricants, medical and mechatronic products.
Especially for mid-size companies Freudenberg develops software solutions and IT services. The end-user can find modern Freudenberg household products in the shops under the brand names of vileda®, O-Cedar®, Wettex®, Gala® and SWASH®. The Freudenberg Group employed some 40,000 people in about 60 countries and generated sales of more than €6.6 billion in 2013 (inclusive of pro-rata consolidation of the 50:50 Joint Ventures). For further information, please go to www.freudenberg.com.

About Freudenberg Nonwovens
Freudenberg Nonwovens is one of the world’s largest producers of nonwovens, with 21 manufacturing and processing sites in 13 countries. The company manufactures interlinings for the apparel industry and develops nonwovens for the following markets: Energy, Automotive Interiors, Hygiene, Medical, Building Interiors, Geotextiles and Specialties. Freudenberg Nonwovens markets innovative products such as Lutradur ECO®, Vilene®, Soundtex® and Evolon®. In the 2013 financial year, Freudenberg Nonwovens employed 3,200 people and generated sales of €660 million. www.freudenberg-nw.com

The company is part of the Freudenberg Group. In 2013, the Freudenberg Group with its Seals and Vibration Control Technology, Nonwovens, Filtration, Household Products, and Specialties and Others Business Areas generated sales of over €6.6 billion and employed approximately 40,000 people in around 60 countries.