Q&A

Seals, gaskets, and O-rings are the unsung heroes of the industrial world, especially in commercial vehicles or mobile machinery. In a world dominated by news of autonomous vehicles powered by electricity and more, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies' message to its many stakeholders is, “Often invisible, always essential.” It is also a big business, worth $12B a year, according to CEO Claus Moehlenkamp. Now the company plans to offer components and systems of a more visible nature-battery packs and hydrogen fuel-cell stacks.

The supplier's energy supply strategy is evident in its early-February announcement that Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has become a majority stakeholder of XALT Energy. XALT is a Midland, Mich.-based global developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion technology solutions targeted for heavy-duty mobility applications. Freudenberg has a standing agreement to acquire all remaining shares of XALT “over the next few years.” Moehlenkamp explained the reasoning behind its strategy in this edited interview with Truck & Off-Highway Engineering conducted at the 2019 Detroit auto show.