German firm Freudenberg opens new plant in Gujarat

German Group Freudenberg, a supplier of non-wovens, filters, lubricants and specialist in seals and vibration control technology, today said availability of good infrastructure in Gujarat led it to set up a new plant in the state.

"Two factors - availability of round the clock power and logistics location near the National Highway No 8 - led us to set up a new plant here," Klaus Peter Meier, President and CEO of Freudenberg Household Products, told PTI after the inauguration of the unit at Adas village, 30 km from here.

The plant is a joint venture Freudenberg Household and Gala Brush, a leading manufacturers of all types of brushes, brooms, wipers, squeegees and mops in India.

Objective of the joint venture is to form the Indian market leader in mechanical cleaning products by utilising the strength of the Gala brand and their distribution capabilities and combining it with the international know-how in products, R&D, production and marketing of the German firm, Meier said.

Chandrakant Gala, chief operating officer of the JV, Freudenberg Gala Household Product, said, "Our vision is to be a leading global player in the cleaning tools market by 2020. This factory in Adas will help us achieve that goal."

"This plant sets a strong foundation to help grow our business substantially in India and the world," Gala said.

In 2010-11, Freudenberg Group recorded sales of Rs 794 crore in India, a rise of 42% over Rs 558 crore posted in the previous fiscal.