It's a local business that produces a material many of us take for granted- rubber. It's a versatile element often used to insulate materials or hold pieces together. For this week's Hudson Valley Business Beat, Jessica Chen introduces us to Mechanical Rubber, a company that's been in the area since World War II.
WARWICK, N.Y. -- If you look around, chances are you'll find rubber in many of the things you use.
Think tires, your shoes, or even window insulators and you'll see it's a vital element to keep things together.
"Rubber is a science, but it’s art to make that scientific product in the end," said Cedric Glasper, president of Mechanical Rubber.
The Warwick-based company makes custom rubber products for brands around the world.
"That is exactly what rubber does, it insulates, it absorbs, it repels, it can conduct," said Glasper.
He said the company has been around for almost 75 years. They started making custom products for the military and the automotive industry as early as World War II. But primarily focus their products on the industrial and aerospace industry now.
"Instead of wearing out a metal part, you put a piece of rubber there and you can wear out the rubber and your cost is much less than actually replacing the metal application," said Glasper.
Glasper said they make all their product from scratch. They begin by designing the product, mixing the material and molding it into shape.
About 24 employees in the company create the product from start to finish.
"It’s used everywhere and we take it for granted," said Glasper.
He said as their company continues to grow, he hopes people will begin to notice this everyday material that has played a vital role in keeping the things we use in place.