August 4, 2025. Two Global GROWTTH 2024 Gold Awards for Hungary: one to the Special Sealing division in Lajosmizse for the best lean systems project, one to the Dynamic Sealing division in Kecskemét for the best lean admin project.
The employees at the Hungarian Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) sites in Lajosmizse and Kecskemét have reason to celebrate: both sites received one of the prestigious Gold Awards for best lean projects.
The team in Lajosmizse, led by László Tóth, Lean GROWTTH Manager, won the Gold Award for the best lean systems project. “The award underlines the commitment and expertise of the team in Lajosmizse. It also demonstrates the consistent pursuit of continuous improvement,” says Tóth.
The employees in Lajosmisze focused on a highrunners production area and analyzed and improved the value streams there. This has significantly improved the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) from 60 percent to 77 percent. This result was achieved in part because the injection molding processes are now planned using Heijunka. Heijunka is a lean management method that allows production to be smoothed and leveled. In other words, production quantities and sequences are planned in such a way that fluctuations can be reduced and a more even production flow is created. “In addition, the team worked with the Lead Center in Kufstein to optimize inventory management on both sides and maximize delivery accuracy for our customers,” says Tóth.
Award for the best Lean Admin project goes to Kecskemét
The Dynamic Sealing Division in Kecskemét was also honored with a Gold Award. The team, led by project coordinator Bettina Hajagos, Human Resources (HR) Generalist Kecskemét, won the award for the Best Lean Admin Project in Freudenberg’s “Global GROWTTH 2024” competition.
Thanks to the award-winning HR project, process efficiency could be improved, processes digitized to a greater extent, and lean methods could be applied. “Our goal was not only to optimize HR processes, but also to create added value with regards to operational excellence. This award proves that the key to modern HR lies in digitalized, efficient and continuously improved processes – where they have an impact on business results,” says Hajagos.
The Lean Awards reflect the culture practiced at both locations, in which innovation, continuous improvement and sustainable growth are deeply rooted in daily work processes.
