Freudenberg Oil & Gas Technologies is to invest £11m into consolidating its three Baglan sites into one manufacturing centre, a move which will create 60 new jobs and secure 90.
Employee numbers will rise from the existing 237 to 297 working in the design, development and manufacture of high integrity sealing solutions for the oil and gas industry globally.
The new location will also contain new R&D facilities with additional investment in new CNC machinery and equipment and is set to be completed by August this year.
The Welsh manufacturing base, which employs 237 people locally, is the largest within Freudenberg Oil & Gas Technologies. The Company has 22 locations in 9 countries serving the global oil and gas industry.
The investment was also backed by £3m in business finance from the Welsh government, with Welsh economy minister Edwina Hart welcoming the move.
“This is a major investment by the globally active German family-owned Freudenberg Group that will not only create 60 highly skilled, well paid jobs but it will also safeguard 90 others and ensure the long term sustainability of their operation in Wales,” she said.
“The company makes a major contribution to the economy, exporting products that are developed here in Wales, across the world. This investment illustrates the company’s commitment to Wales and I am pleased the WG is able to support this expansion.”
Richard T. Schmidt, President and CEO of Freudenberg Oil & Gas Technologies, which has 22 locations across nine countries, added: “The investment in Wales will enable the business to grow, remain competitive and become more efficient.
“The investment is testament to the company’s long-term commitment to Wales while funding from the Welsh Government was extremely important highlighting its continued support and enabling this investment to go ahead.”
