Freudenberg : A Start-up in a Revolution 1849–2024

Freudenberg explores how one company defied the odds, evolving through political upheavals and global transformations to remain a leader in innovation. Founded during the 1848 revolution, Freudenberg has endured and thrived through some of history’s most tumultuous periods. From the rise and fall of empires to economic crises, war, and the struggles of globalization, this family enterprise has continually adapted, innovated, and redefined itself. In Freudenberg, Carsten Knop traces the company’s extraordinary history, revealing how it has navigated upheaval while remaining inventive and globally competitive. It goes beyond a traditional corporate history and reads like a real-life business epic—one of resilience, vision, and reinvention. For business leaders, historians, and anyone drawn to compelling success stories, Freudenberg showcases how a company can endure for generations by continually evolving while staying true to its roots.