Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies Recognized for Community Leadership with Georgia’s GEAR Citizenship Award

When word reached Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies’ Cleveland plant that an elementary school in White County did not have a robot for each of the students enrolled in its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) club, plant leadership and employees jumped into action by not only donating robots and support to the club, but by also providing sponsorship of robotic initiatives throughout the local school system.

That’s one example of why Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies – a global leader in the production of seals and alternate powertrain technologies and a committed corporate citizen – was selected by Georgia’s automotive community as recipient of the 2020 Georgia Emerging Automotive Recognition (GEAR) Award for Citizenship, sponsored by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Previously known as the Georgia Automotive Awards, the GEAR Awards recognize advances in the state’s automotive and mobility industries through innovation and emerging technologies. The Citizenship Award recognizes Freudenberg’s high level of corporate participation in the community, including their contributions to civic and educational organizations.

During the presentation of the GEAR Awards in October 2020, GDEcD Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce Scott McMurray expressed appreciation from the state for Freudenberg’s commitment to excellence in manufacturing and community leadership.

“It’s businesses like Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies that contribute more than jobs and opportunities, they also make a difference and impact our communities through ongoing commitment and involvement,” McMurray explained.

The manufacturer, the largest employer in Cleveland, is part of Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, which runs business operations for Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) in the Americas. The company is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies. A Tier 1 supplier to original equipment manufacturers (OEM), the Cleveland plant makes custom seals for existing and new powertrain and drivelines, including e-Mobility applications. The plant is one of the highest-volume users of rubber in the Americas, producing 14 million seals a month.

“The Cleveland location is strategic for us because of the abundance of automotive suppliers in the South,” says Gary VanWambeke, senior vice president of Freudenberg-NOK’s Powertrain and Driveline Division.

“We’re close to I-85, so we truck products to our North American customers and ship overseas from the Georgia ports. We have a high-quality workforce because Georgia grows its own talent. The company recruits from institutions like Georgia Tech, North Georgia Technical College and Lanier Technical College, where we actively supported the creation of an apprenticeship program. We also offer work-study co-ops in partnership with the school system and local colleges.”

Freudenberg collaborates with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, Worksource Georgia Mountains, the Georgia Mountain Workforce Development program, and the White County Chamber of Commerce to craft regional workforce development initiatives, many focusing on manufacturing.

“We’re a hidden gem,” says VanWambeke. “It’s important to get the word out about the range of well-paying, rewarding careers in manufacturing.”

Education, especially around STEM, is a core function of the company’s “Culture Team,” a multi-level group of employees who champion community opportunities for which employees can contribute time or financial support. The team carries out Freudenberg’s guiding principles: value for customers, responsibility, innovation, people, leadership, and long-term orientation. These principles are implemented through partnerships as well as a commitment to employees, customers, and communities in areas including education, health and safety, the environment, and more.

For instance, in addition to supporting a STEM Club and freshman orientation at the White County High School, the company supports “Rocket Day” at the county’s middle school. Freudenberg engineers help students build, launch, and understand the physics of rockets. The company also provided $57,000 for White County High School’s engineering program.

“Hearing parents express unsolicited appreciation for what we do is one of the most rewarding aspects of our outreach,” says VanWambeke.

Through the Culture Team, Freudenberg employees participate in the annual White County RiverSweep clean-up with several regional organizations. Other employee-driven initiatives include giving to an animal shelter, supporting Thanksgiving and Christmas philanthropies, and planting a wide variety of trees with the White County Extension office to support tree identification for the local 4-H club. The company also created opportunities for employees to donate to the American Cancer Society, United Way, and Relay for Life. VanWambeke estimates that up to 90% of the 400-strong workforce participates in community service.

Freudenberg also promotes career development for employees by allotting funds for tuition reimbursement as well as online progressive training, leadership training, and lean certification training.

“Freudenberg is a shining example of what corporate citizenship is all about, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that they’ve won statewide recognition for that,” says Beth Truelove, president of the White County Chamber. “They are always ready to lend their expertise to the community, and their passion for creative problem-solving means they’re able to innovate solutions.”

Truelove notes that during the early stages of the pandemic, Freudenberg put their 3-D printers to work to create ear guards that make masks more comfortable for healthcare workers to wear for long periods. They also donated N-95 masks to the White County Sheriff's Department for the safety of first responders and jailers.

“The GEAR award is a wonderful statement of how seriously we take our role in the community,” says VanWambeke. “When we’re recognized outside the plant, and especially by a group of our peers, it reinforces that our work is meaningful and that we’re doing what we’ve said we’d do.”

About GDEcD

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music, and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. Visit georgia.org for more information.