Employees at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) gathered in July to celebrate a key milestone in the company’s regional transformation with the grand reopening of its Northfield manufacturing site. The event marked the latest achievement under Project FRESH, a strategic initiative launched in April 2024 to consolidate operations from the Ashland site into the Northfield facility. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in the site’s newly renovated cafeteria and was finalized with an $11,000 donation to the Tilton-Northfield Fire Department from ProCon, the primary contractor, on behalf of FST.
Over the past year, the sites of the Dynamic Sealing Division in New Hampshire have undergone significant changes, including equipment consolidation, portfolio management, and facility renovations. In Northfield, the new cafeteria and entrance are the first major spaces to open, designed to provide employees with a more comfortable and flexible start and end to their shifts.
The transformation has presented some challenges. For the local team, construction temporarily restricted access to restrooms and parking, and office staff were relocated several times. For the business, customer communication and managing expectations required close collaboration among many teams.
Despite the disruptions, the team stayed focused on creating a more efficient and welcoming workplace. Casey Blanchard, Competence Center Manager, talked about the collaboration during the project, “Every person in the room – and many others from our global team – have made essential contributions to this project. I want to thank everyone for their trust and patience during this transition.”
The site now consolidates expertise from FST’s Powertrain, Heavy Duty, and Simmerring Industry Customized Solutions Lead Centers. This move aims to reduce complexity, enhance operational stability and create room for future growth. It also strengthens FST’s long-standing presence in New Hampshire, where it has been a major employer for decades.
“This space reflects the progress we’ve made together,” said Zachary Miller, Project Manager and Quoting Specialist. “We’re not at the finish line yet, but today marks a significant step forward. There’s plenty to celebrate, and even more ahead as we continue developing our Maintenance, Process Development, and Engineered Services areas, which are scheduled for completion by the end of the year.”
The reopening event recognized progress and reaffirmed FST’s commitment to its people and the community it serves. To acknowledge their unwavering support of FST during the renovations, the Tilton-Northfield Fire Department joined the event and was presented with a $11,000 donation from ProCon, the primary contractors, on behalf of FST. Michael Sitar, Fire Chief, shared that these funds will help purchase new exercise equipment for their fitness center.
