2004 U.S. industrial rubber products sales expected to exceed $20 billion

CLEVELAND (Sept 12)—Sales of industrial rubber products in the U.S. are expected to increase just over 6 percent to almost $21 billion in 2004, according to a study by the Cleveland-based Freedonia Group. The industrial market research firm said rubber activity for 2004 will significantly outpace durable goods shipments, but added that growth rates for most major markets of industrial rubber products will decelerate from the expansion seen in the past decade. The ``Industrial Rubber Products´´ study is available for $3,600 from the Freedonia Group. Call 440-684-9600 for information.