Freudenberg Nonwovens, a Germany-based nonwoven materials manufacturer with operations in 13 countries worldwide, has announced plans to close its staple fiber manufacturing operations in Durham, N.C., effective the end of March 2009. The company will transfer products currently manufactured in Durham on two base lines and two print-sets to other facilities or discontinue them. The closure will affect 60 employees. Freudenberg’s Spunlaid Division in Durham will remain in operation; as will the company’s facility in Hopkinsville, Ky., which includes manufacturing operations for its Filtration Division and Freudenberg Vitech LP.

“The business with staple fiber nonwovens has suffered financial hardship due to the economic slowdowns in the three largest markets of home industrial, mattress and wipes,” said John McNabb, general manager and vice president, Industrial Nonwovens Division. “This adjustment of production capacity is necessary to bring our capability in line with current market demand. We will focus on serving our key customer base with a local sales force, supplying Freudenberg material from other facilities.”

September 23, 2008