Freudenberg expands global accumulator business

ERJ staff report (TP)

Weinheim, Germany – Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, the Freudenberg Group’s global sealing specialist, is to acquire Tobul Accumulator Inc., with effect from 31 July.

Tobul is a developer and manufacturer of hydraulic accumulators. The family-owned company has sites in Bamberg, South Carolina and Houston, Texas, and employs some 120 people. It also has a sales office in Shanghai, China.

Among other products, the company manufactures piston and bladder accumulators for industrial applications. The focal point lies in the market segments oil & gas, mining as well as fluid power in North and South America.

The "most important" products are hydraulic piston accumulators for blowout preventers that prevent an uncontrolled release of drilling fluid, crude oil or natural gas during the raw material extraction process.

Tobul’s bladder accumulators uses a rubber separator to surround the gas chamber.

The family-owned company was established in 1980 by Jim Tobul, who has over 35 years’ experience in the field of accumulator technology. He will “continue to play an active role in the company in the future”.

Claus Möhlenkamp, chairman of the management board of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, said: “The German site at Remagen is Freudenberg’s global lead centre for accumulators, especially for the car industry. The two companies complement each other very well. Synergies in know-how, in the regional markets, as well as in the after sales business can be harnessed.”

Freudenberg said: “Tobul’s industrial accumulators – especially piston accumulators as well as bladder accumulators – are used worldwide in more than 50 countries.”

The Japanese EKK Group also has a share of up to 25 percent in the accumulator business.