Exciting Times!

The Freudenberg Group has ambitious growth plans and has set its sights on expanding its activities further as market opportunities arise, says Georg Graf, Regional Representative of Freudenberg India.

- Niranjan Mudholkar

First of all, congratulations on taking charge. How does it feel to be in this position at a time when things really brightening up in the Indian market?

My predecessor Dr. Jörg Matthias Großmann in this role as Freudenberg’s Regional Representative in India has laid a solid foundation for Freudenberg’s operations in India. Freudenberg is a global, family-owned company with a long term history of successful entrepreneurship, a deep sense of commitment to society and future viability. I look forward to help the company shape its future in the Indian subcontinent.

Freudenberg is into manufacturing and from this perspective we live in exciting times in India. The Indian Government is promoting manufacturing with a target to increase the share of manufacturing from 14 percent in 2014 to 25 percent in 2022 in Indian GDP. India has the second largest population in the world and would have the youngest population by 2020. Currently in India more than 12 million people entering the workforce each year and this is requiring the creation of new jobs. I am convinced that only the manufacturing sector can create theses jobs. Young people migrating from rural to urban centres will increase the pressure on our society but empowering these young people will also be the basis to drive the GDP growth in the future.

How was the last financial year (FY) for Freudenberg Group companies in India in terms of turnover and overall growth? How are things in the ongoing FY? Are you happy the way the Group is progressing in India?

We can look back at a successful year. We had set ambitious goals for our group companies in India and we achieved them. By end of 2016, we have met our sales and earning targets. Our projects are running as planned. India supports the group goals to be one of the most innovative, broadly-diversified global technology groups.