LONDONDERRY— An international chemical company with a steady presence in Londonderry plans to hire up to 100 additional workers during the next two years.

This week, company officials from Kluber Lubrication North America Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Freudenberg Chemical Specialties, announced plans to expand production with the hire of new employees and also hinted at hopes for a possible facility expansion.

Located at 32 Industrial Drive, the Londonderry site serves as Kluber's North American headquarters.

The plan, officials said, is part of Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership's (FNALP) extensive growth strategy that will ultimately invest millions in capital expenditures in the Granite State in the coming years.

“We are looking to partner with the state to help us develop technical resources, apprenticeship, internship training programs and a level playing field,” FNALP president Leesa Smith said in a written statement. “Our competence and business in New Hampshire has grown, and we need to establish meaningful partnerships in order to address challenges and leverage opportunities across the state's manufacturing base.”

Freudenberg operates three companies, seven industrial facilities and already employs 1,300 associates in New Hampshire alone.

In addition to the Londonderry Kluber branch, the company also owns Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies in Bristol and Northfield. The company plans to hire additional workers at those facilities as well, according to Indira Sadikovic, communications manager at Freudenberg North America Limited Partnership.

Naomi Godrey, regional human resources manager for Kluber North America in Londonderry, said she was unaware of the local expansion plans and referred all inquiries to FNALP's Michigan headquarters Wednesday afternoon.

According to Smith, plans are in the works to partner with the state Department of Resources and Economic Development during the next few years, as well as the state community colleges in hopes of establishing training programs for potential new hires.

However, Smith noted that funding for such training is somewhat limited, and that might prove a formidable challenge, as will the state's currently high corporate taxing system.

Kluber Lubrication provides seals and vibration control technology components, filters, nonwovens, release agents and lubricants for a variety of industrial sectors ranging from automotive and aerospace to pharmaceutical, construction and energy.

“You wouldn't expect a fine chemicals manufacturing company to locate in New Hampshire, but we have made it here, and we have excellent, competent, loyal staff on which we can build our future if there are parameters in place to support that growth,” said Hanno D. Wentzler, CEO of Freudenberg Chemical Specialties.

Visit www.freudenberg.us.

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AGuilmet@newstote.com