RBX to phase out 85 employees by year-end

COLT, Ark. (Sept.23)—RBX Industries Inc. will phase out 85 production positions by the end of 2002 at its manufacturing facilities in Colt and Conover, N.C., because of a joint manufacturing and marketing venture the company struck in August, a company spokesman said. The rubber, plastic and silicone product manufacturer signed a deal with North Carolina-based Nomaco Corp. and Milan, Italy-based L'Isolante K-Flex. Under the agreement, Nomaco would handle RBX's polyethylene insulation, although RBX will transfer some of the manufacturing of the auto plastic, sporting goods and specialty extrusions to its facility in South Holland, Ill., the company said. RBX has production facilities in Colt; Conover, N.C.; South Holland, Ill.; and Bedford and Buchanan, Va.