Third Time is a Charm: Freudenberg-NOK Named One of 'Metro Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies' For Third Year in a Row

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Sept. 30 -- Freudenberg-NOK has been recognized by the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) for the third consecutive year as one of "Metropolitan Detroit's 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For."

The award identifies companies that excel in human resource practices such as cultural diversity, work-life balance, associate education and motivation, compensation and benefits, and community initiatives. Winners were selected based on responses to a questionnaire, a short essay and employee surveys about company human resource practices.

"It is an honor to be recognized as one of the 'Best and Brightest' for the third consecutive year," said Dr. Mohsen Sohi, president and chief executive officer for Freudenberg-NOK. "This award solidifies our position as an industry leader in employee satisfaction and confirms our commitment to the company's greatest asset -- our hard-working associates."

Freudenberg-NOK's innovative human resource offerings consist of programs that encourage associate involvement and teamwork. For example, the company challenges and rewards employees with a series of celebration events such as Toast to Technology, The Growtth Summit and Circle of Excellence. During these events the company invites top employees to spend three days, all expenses paid, at a resort or hotel and attend seminars, award ceremonies and team building activities.

Through another program known as "We All Take Care," teams of employees make a personal commitment and work together to develop projects that improve environmental protection and occupational safety in the workplace. The teams that produce the top safety projects are awarded with prizes.

Also noteworthy is the company-wide Growtth(R) (Get Rid Of Waste Through Team Harmony) program which educates associates in lean and Six Sigma processes. The program offers opportunities for employees to contribute to organizational and professional improvements and to actively participate in developing new ideas to help ensure the success of the company.

Freudenberg-NOK will receive its award at a luncheon and ceremony on October 20 at the Troy Marriott.

Founded in 1989, Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership is a joint venture between Freudenberg & Co. of Germany and NOK Corp. of Japan.

Freudenberg-NOK is a leader in automotive sealing and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) products and is a supplier to all automakers producing in North America, as well as all major tier one chassis and drivetrain suppliers. The company's headquarters and technical center in Plymouth, Mich. houses the most extensive supplier-operated sealing and noise and vibration testing facility in North America.

Freudenberg-NOK offers its automotive customers globally integrated products, including sealing packages for transmissions, engines, brakes, axles and steering, NVH components and packages, and all rubber, plastic and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) components for suspension, electrical and fuel systems.

The company 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 website at http://www.freudenberg-nok.com/ .