Denmark firm's Morse Rubber purchase lifts presence in North, Latin America

KEOKUK, Iowa—Denmark's FLSmidth acquired Keokuk-based Morse Rubber L.L.C., a specialized rubber manufacturer, in June for an undisclosed sum in a deal that bolsters its presence in North and Latin America.

Morse Rubber manufactures and markets specialized, heavy-duty rubber products for mineral processing and products that are used in marine, industrial, mining and agricultural applications. Its existing product lines include Morse marine bearings, marine fenders and bumpers, and engineered systems and components.

Morse includes a manufacturing facility with a full range of capabilities ranging from large-scale molding and extruding; mixing and machining of rubber and metals to bonding rubber to metals and composites, metal welding and fabrication.

Morse Rubber was established more than 35 years ago. All 23 Morse Rubber employees were offered positions with FLSmidth and will be transferred to the new corporate entity, according to a news release from the Denmark firm. It is expected that the Iowa manufacturing facility will remain in operation.

FLSmidth said in the news release that the Morse Rubber acquisition supports the new parent company's CORE '26 strategy, which includes targeting service growth through strategic investments and prioritization. Some of the main benefits of the acquisition are that Morse Rubber's collective know-how will help expand advanced molding capabilities for rubber and composite mill liners—as well as screen media and various rubber and rubber ceramic wear components—to the existing FLSmidth service offerings.

FLSmidth plans to strengthen its service offerings around these products, especially for mill liners, where it has been capacity-constrained in some regions, according to the company release.

"We have a clear ambition of improving our capture rate for mill liners on our own installed base," said Joshua Meyer, service line president of FLSmidth. "This requires more capacity, and the acquisition of Morse Rubber should be seen in this light. With this acquisition we will be able to offer cost and quality competitive mill liners combined with local presence, local production, and proximity to our North American and Latin American customers."

Calls to both Morse Rubber and FLSmidth seeking further comment were not returned.

FLSmidth is a full flowsheet technology and service supplier to the global mining and cement industries headquartered in Copenhagen. It is attempting to adhere to zero emissions in mining and cement by 2030.