Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • War in Ukraine
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
    • 2022 International Silicone Conference
    • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
    • 2022 Women Breaking the Mold
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
January 12, 2004 01:00 AM

FHI sells off molding unit to new group

Mike McNulty
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Flexfab Horizons International Inc. is moving away from the silicone rubber molding business to concentrate on its primary operations, including the production of silicone hose and ducting.

    The company has sold subsidiary Flexfab Molded Products L.L.C., a custom molder of silicone rubber products, to Thistle Group for an undisclosed amount.

    Thistle Group bought Flexfab Molded Products' assets, including its 32,000-sq.-ft. East Troy, Wis., plant and equipment, according to John Price, vice president of operations for FHI, the parent of silicone rubber product manufacturer Flexfab L.L.C. Thistle Group was incorporated in May and is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind.

    The acquisition should pay off for Flexfab Molded Products and its employees, according to Tom Lapsley, principal owner of Thistle Group. It plans to build the business further in the next few years and Lapsley expects the 60 employees at the East Troy facility to remain with the company. He said the firm intends to make the business a significant part of its growth plan in the silicone molded products industry.

    The firm plans to grow quickly in the next few years via acquisitions or startups, said Lapsley, who has spent more than 30 years in the silicone rubber business.

    FHI opted to sell the silicone goods molder because it didn't fit the firm's core businesses in the heavy-duty truck, automotive and aerospace industries, said Douglas DeCamp, chairman, president and CEO of the firm.

    Flexfab Molded Products made significant improvements as a custom molder since it was formed in 1998, he said, but FHI ultimately determined it didn't tie in with its primary operations.

    So the firm ``reluctantly concluded that it was best for the employees of FMP and for FHI to turn away from general custom molding and focus all our resources on our core businesses,'' DeCamp said in a prepared statement.

    FHI will continue to do some silicone rubber molding, Price said, primarily for its core businesses. However, that will not be a significant part of its operations.

    The company's manufacturing arm, Flexfab L.L.C., produces component parts for the heavy-duty truck, automotive, aerospace and other industries that require flexible parts for use in extremes of heat and cold.

    Flexfab's product line includes coolant hose, heater hose, charge air connectors, special reinforced shapes and flexible ducting for a variety of applications.

    The sale was FHI's second during the last eight months.

    In late May, the Arlon Silicone Technologies Division of Bairnco Corp. acquired the Mox-Tape-brand product line from the company to broaden its product line.

    Arlon purchased unreinforced and reinforced silicone self-fusing tapes used in a broad range of applications and segments, including high-temperature electrical insulation for the military, aerospace, automotive, marine and power generation markets.

    While Flexfab Molded Products didn't fit well with FHI's core operations, it's an ideal match with Thistle Group, Lapsley noted.

    ``This is a novel way of approaching the silicone business,'' the executive said, referring to FMP's status as ``a high-profile, select materials molder that's very specialized.''

    It ties in perfectly with the group's growth plan, which calls for the firm to focus on the silicone molding and goods industry.

    ``We are keeping our options open, of course,'' Lapsley said. He also noted it is possible that other rubber product molders could be purchased, too, if they tie in to the company's overall business program.

    ``We're looking at acquiring or establishing at least five businesses,'' he said, indicating that he is currently holding acquisition talks with other companies.

    A linked group of silicone molders was the brainchild of Lapsley. The principal owner of the group has extensive experience in that sector of the rubber industry.

    He served as president of GE/ASI L.L.C., a firm owned by General Electric Co., for three years prior to creating his new company.

    Before that, he spent 11 years as an executive with American Silicones Corp. before it was purchased by GE.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Nokian poised to immediately exit Russia
    2
    One killed, two injured in shooting at WeatherTech facility
    3
    Bridgestone opens $21 million race tire plant, boasts guayule-based Firehawk
    4
    Bridgestone creates silicone-based self-sealing tires
    5
    DuPont tailors its adhesives as EVs get more sophisticated
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • War in Ukraine
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
        • 2022 International Silicone Conference
        • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
        • 2022 Women Breaking the Mold
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION