#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2019-11-27

Freudenberg acquires Filc

Freudenberg, the global technology group has signed a final agreement to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Filc. Filc is a producer of needle punch nonwoven textiles and laminated materials with a focus on the automotive and construction industry. Privately-owned Filc is headquartered in Škofja Loka, Slovenia, and operates two more production sites in Mengeš and Lendava, Slovenia, as well as a sales office in Dayton, OH, USA. Filc has roughly 360 employees. The transaction is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.

“With the acquisition, we would like to further strengthen our performance materials business, and expand our portfolio and technological footprint in Europe,” says Dr. Mohsen Sohi, Freudenberg Group CEO.

Further Expansion of its Needle Punch Business

“Filc has great needle punch know-how which we will benefit from, especially in terms of composites. Filc´s exceptionally good adhesive coating abilities will allow us to offer customer solutions in adjacent segments in the construction business,” explains Dr. Frank Heislitz, Freudenberg Performance Materials CEO. “In addition, we will expand our technical expertise in acoustics, both in construction and automotive, and provide customers a broad technology portfolio with lamination, printing, and coating,” says Heislitz.

“Becoming part of a globally active company offers an opportunity for regional and global expansion of our business. In addition, sharing our expertise in technology will be crucial to scale up our growth,” adds Anže Manfreda, CEO of Filc. The company was founded in 1937 and has been in the nonwovens business since 1963. Freudenberg has a long-standing global footprint and the broadest technology platform in the nonwovens industry and is thus an ideal partner for Filc.

Values and Customer Focus in common

As a privately-owned company, Filc has very similar values and guiding principles to Freudenberg. Both companies have a strong focus on customers and innovation, as well as on people for finding the right solutions.