Akron has long been called the Rubber City—but that moniker was earned over many decades of growth and innovation. Much of the rich history of rubber manufacturing unfolded in Ohio, starting over 150 years ago.
As the rubber industry has grown, its footprint has spread beyond Akron and throughout Northeast Ohio. Universal Polymer and Rubber (UP&R), a rubber manufacturer, put down roots in Middlefield in 1971 and later established additional rubber manufacturing facilities in Tallmadge. UP&R has over fifty years of experience in the rubber parts manufacturing industry and has expanded and refined its rubber manufacturing offerings in line with the needs of the market.
The Historical Roots of Rubber Manufacturing in Ohio
UP&R is part of a group of companies that influenced the rubber market and shaped the history of rubber in Akron, even as the industry spread to other parts of the world and Ohio rubber became famous.
So just why is Akron the Rubber City? To answer that question, we have to go back to the 19th century.
A key character in rubber history is Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich, of BF Goodrich. Goodrich first considered Akron in the late 1800s, while looking for a new home for the rubber company he was running in Melrose, New York. Having gone to Case Western Reserve University for his degree, his first idea was Cleveland. But with John D. Rockefeller’s new ventures in oil and steel, there wasn’t much room for a new industry.
Goodrich got his hands on a flyer from the Akron Board of Trade and was immediately intrigued by what Akron had to offer. The city had access to cheap, abundant fresh water and useful railways. Plus, thanks to Akron’s long history in manufacturing, a skilled labor force was ready and waiting for Goodrich.
The Akron Board of Trade, another important character in the history of rubber, helped Goodrich move his rubber company to Akron in 1870, and others soon followed.
Influential Rubber Manufacturing Companies in Ohio
BF Goodrich is one of four companies considered the “Big Four” in Akron rubber manufacturing. All four of these companies played a major role in the history of rubber.
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, founded by Frank Sieberling, opened its doors in 1898 and went on to become the largest tire manufacturer in the United States.
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company followed shortly thereafter, in 1900. Firestone got its start making solid rubber tires for fire vehicles and later followed its competitors into the pneumatic and automotive tire markets.
The last of the Big Four to enter the market was the General Tire and Rubber Company. General Tire was founded in 1915 by William Francis O’Neil, whose family owned a regional department store chain, O’Neil’s, in Akron and Canton. Today, General Tire is part of the Continental Tire family of brands.
Why Ohio Became a Hub for Rubber Manufacturing
Ohio has been at the heart of rubber manufacturing since the industry’s early days. The state of Ohio offered several key advantages, in terms of both geography and the existing population, that supported the establishment and growth of the rubber manufacturing industry.
Strategic Location
The rubber vulcanization process consumes a lot of water. Between Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River, and the Ohio & Erie Canal, Akron benefited from a wealth of freshwater sources that supported the tremendous water needs of the rubber manufacturing industry.
Skilled Labor
Long before the arrival of the rubber manufacturing industry, Akron had a long history as a strong manufacturing hub. The city had hosted the mass production of oats and farm equipment, for example. And thanks to the large deposits of clay found throughout northeast Ohio, companies based in Akron began making clay sewer pipes, clay tiles, and even clay marbles. With their years of experience in manufacturing and mass production, the city’s workers were an attractive asset to the rubber manufacturing industry.
UP&R proudly employs many of Northeast Ohio’s leading and most skilled rubber manufacturing experts and technicians. We understand that skilled labor is critical to quality products and work hard to attract and develop talent with the goal of serving our customers’ complex needs.
Industrial Support
Dating back to the 1870s, the Akron Board of Trade was working to draw entrepreneurs, investors, and new businesses to the city. They offered financial assistance, supported the development of vital infrastructure, and facilitated connections between potential investors, partners, and like-minded leaders. This strong foundation of existing support in Akron for new and growing businesses was a strong draw for the rubber manufacturing industry.
Innovation
In addition to its strong industrial support and highly skilled labor force, Ohio was known as a hotbed for innovation. Companies in Ohio pioneered the development of industrial hoses, pneumatic tires, and other products that shaped rubber history and meaningfully affected American life, in both subtle and overt ways. The Akron workforce welcomed and appreciated fresh ideas and had the courage and skill to contribute to their development.
Ohio Rubber Manufacturing Today
Many tire manufacturers have moved their manufacturing centers out of Ohio, but Akron remains home to Goodyear and Bridgestone’s global R&D centers and several other players in the industry, such as Smithers, the creator of the Smithers Tire Report.
UP&R continues to call Ohio our home. We have worked to expand our rubber manufacturing service offerings to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients in this vital industry by growing our footprint in Northeast Ohio through strategic acquisitions.
Strong polymer science programs at the University of Akron, Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University, and other fine institutions continue to drive much of the industry’s key innovations. The state’s latest developments in automation, additive manufacturing, and other manufacturing technologies have ensured that Ohio stays competitive in the global rubber manufacturing market.
Even as technology moves forward, much of Ohio’s original advantages remain the same. The state’s central location and abundant water supply continue to benefit companies like UP&R that remain loyal to the Buckeye State.
Partner with UP&R for Custom Rubber Solutions
UP&R is proud to be part of Ohio’s long history of rubber manufacturing. We have invested heavily in building and growing our footprint here in Northeast Ohio, with the goal of being your go-to partner for rubber manufacturing. We offer a wide range of rubber manufacturing services, such as rubber extrusion, rubber molding, and die cutting, that can be customized to meet your exact needs, from simple, high-volume orders to complex parts with specialized secondary processes.
To learn more about our facilities in Northeast Ohio and to discuss a project contact us >