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
