Freudenberg to consider IPO for Vibracoustic

Darmstadt, Germany — Vibracoustic GmbH's parent company could take the company public in 2019.

Speaking to journalists on 17 April, Freudenberg Group CEO Mohsen Sohi said the firm will explore options beginning in the fall. A company spokeswoman said that no IPO is planned for 2018.

"An IPO is possible next year," she said, "but it will depend on the market conditions. To put it simply, no decision for now, it will be made in due time depending on the market conditions."

Even without the IPO, Freudenberg is in a strong position to make acquisitions, with about €2.5 billion in cash on hand, the spokeswoman confirmed.

Freudenberg declined to disclose the value of Vibracoustic, but said it generated sales of about €2 billion and employed 9,988 in 2017.

Vibracoustic was a 50-50 joint venture between Freudenberg and Trelleborg AB until April 2016, when Freudenberg acquired Trelleborg's half in a deal that was finalised in July of that year.