LaPORTE, Ind. (June 19) — A former president and CEO at American Rubber Products Corp. has purchased the company´s thermoplastic extrusion business unit.
Jeff Bernel, who led APR from 1980 to 1996, acquired the extrusion business via his new company, UniTek Sealing Solutions. The purchase included a 100,000-sq.-ft. plant in LaPorte, machinery and other assets.
In addition to the thermoplastic manufacturing capabilities, the transaction also included a dense rubber extrusion line. Terms of the agreement, which closed June 12, were not disclosed.
The Unitek operation will employ about 40 people, including some management personnel coming over from ARP, Bernel said. Mark Dilley, co-president of ARP, will become UniTek´s president, while Bernel will be chairman and CEO.
The deal — backed by First Source Bank of South Bend, Ind. — will keep about 40 jobs in the LaPorte area and bring sophisticated, proprietary technology to UniTek´s operations, Bernel said. UniTek primarily will supply thermoplastic and rubber seals to the automotive original equipment, aftermarket, and recreational vehicle industries. The company´s market area includes all of North America.