Freudenberg-NOK Hosts Event to Educate Students about Rubber Industry Careers

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Oct. 20 -- Freudenberg-NOK will be hosting "Careers in Rubber Science - An Evening of Exploration," on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at the company's corporate headquarters and concept center in Plymouth, Mich. The event, sponsored by the Detroit Rubber Group, the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Elastomers Center, will inform high school students about career possibilities in the $60-billion rubber industry.

Students will learn about long-term career opportunities and compensation levels in the rubber/elastomer industry, meet with recent graduates in the career field, attend demonstrations that highlight concepts of elastomer science and obtain information about industrial scholarships, internships and grants available to students entering into this field.

"There is a serious need for more qualified and educated employees in the rubber manufacturing business," said Joseph Walker, education committee chairman, Detroit Rubber Group, and corporate director of materials development for Freudenberg-NOK. "Today's science students are the pillars of tomorrow's rubber industry and it is our hope that programs like this will create an interest among students about this profession."

The program is free to attend and will start at 4:30 p.m. Complimentary food, drinks and gifts will be available. Students interested in attending should contact Chris Graves at 734-354-5444.

Onsite corporate sponsors for the event include Perkins Elmer, Lord Corp., Bayer Corp., Zeon Chemical and Wacker Chemicals.

Plymouth, Mich.-based Freudenberg-NOK is a leader in automotive sealing and vibration control products and a supplier to all automakers producing in North America as well as all major tier one chassis and drivetrain suppliers. With total annual sales of more than $7 billion and worldwide automotive sales of approximately $4 billion, the Freudenberg and NOK Group is one of the most globally balanced automotive suppliers.

Through a global network of facilities spanning 27 countries with some 25,000 automotive employees worldwide, the supplier group offers its automotive customers globally integrated products, including sealing packages for transmissions, engines, brakes, axles and steering, NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) components and packages, and all rubber, plastic and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) components for suspension, electrical and fuel systems.

The global Freudenberg and NOK Group also offers an extensive portfolio of special precision seals for the aerospace, appliance, business machine, fluid power, marine, medical, off-highway equipment and recreational vehicle markets. For more information, visit the Freudenberg-NOK web site at www.freudenberg-nok.com