Freudenberg

WEINHEIM, Germany—Freudenberg Group has acquired seal manufacturer Metflex Precision Mouldings as part of a bid to broaden its expertise in the sealing technology business.

Based in Blackburn, England, Metflex develops and manufactures diaphragms and customer-specific sealing for industrial applications.

In the 2016 financial year, Metflex had sales of $17 million and around 90 employees.

"With this acquisition, we are strengthening our established businesses in general industry with additional innovative technical solutions," said Freudenberg Group CEO Mohsen Sohi.

Among other products, Metflex manufactures diaphragms for critical applications and systems, for instance in gasometry, as well as for gas control.

Metflex also focuses on the oil & gas segment and on renewable energy in North America and the United Kingdom.

The company has recently developed a special technical process for a new class of materials, known as "dispersed fiber technology," which is used to manufacture diaphragm seals.

The process uses individual fibers instead of fabric for the reinforcement of the seals. This, Freudenberg said, "significantly simplifies the production process."

Production of very thin rubber-coated fabric for use in gas meters operated at very low pressure is another technology offered by Metflex.

According to Claus Moehlenkamp, CEO of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, the acquisition also will help the company improve its position in membranes.

"We are also creating synergies in regional markets such as China, India and eastern Europe, as well as in selected market segments," Moehlenkamp added.

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