Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
web
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • ITEC
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Coronavirus
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Technical Notebooks
    • International Elastomer Show
    • Women in Tire & Rubber
    • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Goodyear recognized by Lockheed Martin as 'elite supplier'
      EV tire advancements to help secure future
      Lambillotte: Only question on AVs is timing
      CAR official says EV future brighter than autonomous
    • ETRMA: COVID-19 pummels European tire markets in 2020
      New systems solutions advance the sustainability of automotive weatherseals
      3D mapping, navigation from Conti, others on cusp of mainstream
      The new One: Nokian unveils all-season passenger tire
    • ETRMA: COVID-19 pummels European tire markets in 2020
      R&D, Group 1 oils shift keeps Nynas busy
      The new One: Nokian unveils all-season passenger tire
      USW opposes Taiwan tire makers' dumping counterproposal
    • 3D mapping, navigation from Conti, others on cusp of mainstream
      R&D, Group 1 oils shift keeps Nynas busy
      Motion Industries rebrands as 'Motion'
      Proto Labs to buy e-commerce company 3D Hubs for $280 million
    • New systems solutions advance the sustainability of automotive weatherseals
      Arburg: 2021 Technology Days in June will run for 6 days
      R&D, Group 1 oils shift keeps Nynas busy
      Arburg boosts electric machine business with AMK acquisition
    • Proto Labs to buy e-commerce company 3D Hubs for $280 million
      Ace Products & Consulting partners with Wallace Instruments
      Safic-Alcan extends distribution agreement with Momentive
      Momentive aims to grow silicone presence in Asia-Pacific region
    • WCCO task force navigates pandemic, expands communications
      ASTM cancels April meetings as COVID-19 continues impact
      Paycheck Protection Program funding reopens Jan. 15
      Detroit Auto Show canceled; alternative event being planned for September
    • Tero Peltomaki named Cimcorp CEO
      Synthomer CEO MacLean to step down by early 2022
      ARP Materials adds technical sales manager
      Jack Murphy joins Akron Dispersions
    • USW opposes Taiwan tire makers' dumping counterproposal
      India decides against extending carbon black duties
      Hot topics at virtual CES: AVs, air taxis and drones
      Paycheck Protection Program funding reopens Jan. 15
    • Editorial: Against a backdrop of turmoil, M&A deals give glimpse of normalcy
      Column: Pandemic looms over everything in life, business in 2020
      Column: Lessons from the 2020 Best Places to Work
      Editorial: Silicone hit hard by pandemic, expected to bounce back
    • Advancements in synchronous drive belt design for industrial and consumer markets
      Effects of multiple repurposed materials for reinforcements of standard rubber compounds
      Impact of peroxide blends on the cure rate and aged properties in HNBR
      Techniques to detect long chain branching in polymers
    • Rubber Division seeks abstracts for 200th Technical Meeting
      WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      IEC keynote: Communication key to logistics
      IEC speaker: Specialized elastomers may reduce spread of life-threatening pathogens
    • WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      New video celebrates women in rubber industry
      ITEC panelists say women can thrive in tire industry
      Rubber Division planning second Women of Rubber event
    • Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Faster Access to Your Polymer Compounding Experts Around the World
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Take a walk thru a HEXPOL Lab
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      HEXPOL offers a unique selection of High Performance Elastomers to match your application requirements
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      It’s what you can’t see that makes the Difference at HEXPOL
  • Blogs
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
    • New Products: Nova thinks outside the box with sealing tech
      New Products: MonTech introduces 1,500 kN lab press
      New products: 3M introduces new durable, pliable medical adhesive
      New Products: Lanxess launches energy-efficient PU elastomer
    • Wacky World of Rubber: How Trelleborg, teens sealed a spot in the world record book
      Wacky World of Rubber: Of chicken and feet, but not chicken feet
      Wacky World of Rubber: Time to go mattress shopping
      Wacky World of Rubber: Because nothing says football like 'frunk' shrimp
  • Newsletters
    • Rubber in Automotive
    • Silicone News
    • Latex News
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • ETRMA: COVID-19 pummels European tire markets in 2020
      New systems solutions advance the sustainability of automotive weatherseals
      3D mapping, navigation from Conti, others on cusp of mainstream
      The new One: Nokian unveils all-season passenger tire
    • Proto Labs to buy e-commerce company 3D Hubs for $280 million
      Ace Products & Consulting partners with Wallace Instruments
      Safic-Alcan extends distribution agreement with Momentive
      Momentive aims to grow silicone presence in Asia-Pacific region
    • Bridgestone bets on guayule as alternative natural rubber source
      Synthomer CEO MacLean to step down by early 2022
      Jack Murphy joins Akron Dispersions
      Synthomer optimistic, raises earnings forecast
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Directory
  • Resources
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Sponsored By HB Chemical
      The Company Behind the Inventory
      Sponsored By French Oil Mill Machinery
      Process Improvement, Cost Reduction with Custom Press Systems
    • Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Cooper Standard deploys lab informatics platform to synchronize R&D
      Sponsored By Elkem
      LSR Select™: A solution to improve your financial impact in molding applications
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Peroxide Cureable Silicone Injection Molding
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Understanding and Selecting Performance Additives for Rubber Compounding
  • Data
  • Events
    • RPN Events
    • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • ITEC Library
    • International Silicone Conference Library
    • 2021 Healthcare Elastomers Virtual Edition
      2021 Rubber in Automotive Virtual Edition
      2020 International Silicone Conference Virtual Edition
      2020 ITEC Virtual Edition
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
August 23, 2010 02:00 AM

Jaeger plans $3.8 million investment in Unitek unit

Brad Dawson
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    LAPORTE, Ind.—A German rubber parts firm has purchased Unitek Sealing Solutions Corp. and plans to invest about $3.8 million in equipment and upgrades at the extrusion specialist's LaPorte operation.

    Hanover, Germany-based Jaeger Group acquired Unitek's assets from CEO and Chairman Jeff Bernel effective Aug. 5. The two companies had been in discussions over a potential sale—financial terms of which weren't disclosed—for the past 18 months, said Unitek President Mark Dilley. The company will continue to lease the LaPorte facility.

    Unitek's new name is Jaeger-Unitek Sealing Solutions, with Dilley continuing as president. Bernel, who formed Unitek after buying the thermoplastic extrusion business of American Rubber Products Corp. in 2006, is no longer involved with the company, Dilley said.

    Bernel served as ARP president from 1980 to 1996 and afterward taught business at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, before starting Unitek. He is returning to Notre Dame to teach, said Dilley, who also served as co-president with ARP before joining Unitek in 2006.

    Building up

    Jaeger-Unitek's plans for growth in LaPorte are aggressive, Dilley said, with at least six injection machines for rubber and thermoplastic elastomer molding—more if necessary—being added between De- cember and June 2011. The operation also will acquire two cryogenic deflashing machines and robotic inspection equipment, he said.

    The plant's current capabilities include a sponge rubber extrusion line, a solid rubber extrusion line, a dual-durometer TPE line, a tri-durometer TPE line and four small plastic injection molding machines. The 150,000-sq.-ft. facility has the space to handle the expansion, but Dilley said he believes the operation at some point will outgrow its site and need to look for another location.

    The company also will double employment to about 80, adding nearly 40 workers at the plant by September 2012, he said. Jaeger-Unitek is hiring people now to be trained on equipment in Germany.

    The state of Indiana has sweetened the deal for Jaeger-Unitek in its job-creation efforts, offering the company through its Economic Development Corp. up to $250,000 in performance-based tax credits and $20,000 in training grants.

    Sharing strength

    The sale will help Unitek build and complement its capabilities in rubber and TPE extrusion of automotive components, particularly seals for power window, door and sunroof assemblies, Dilley said.

    Jaeger's specialties include rubber profiles, rubber-to-metal components, mats, hoses and other products for the automotive and general industry sectors.

    The combination of resources—Jaeger is a $150 million company—and strengths creates “cross-pollination” possibilities for the German firm and its new subsidiary. Jaeger manufactures a high volume of rubber parts in its home market, and some of that production will be coming to LaPorte, Dilley said.

    About 70 percent of the Indiana operation's revenues come from sales to Japan, a country where Jaeger is looking to build business. There will be a push to increase North American sales as well, he said.

    “The sale has provided us with a new potential customer base,” Dilley said. “Jaeger is strong in the German end of the industry, and is presenting us with new product opportunities in TPE and rubber molding. We've been an extruder, and now marrying that expertise to injection molded products, we see that as a great opportunity.”

    TPE components make up about 60 percent of Jaeger-Unitek's business, but Jaeger's focus on rubber and the influx of rubber part manufacturing at the plant likely will even out the rubber/TPE revenue breakdown, he said.

    The company utilizes a variety of elastomers in its production, including EPDM, nitrile, natural rubber and neoprene. Its plastic materials include TPEs, thermoplastic olefins, polypropylene, nylon and polyvinyl chloride.

    About 85 percent of Jaeger-Unitek's business is in the automotive sector, and that focus should continue over the next one to two years, Dilley said. But he believes the nonautomotive business could grow in the wake of the sale.

    Jaeger brings other strengths to the table, as well, including a prowess in technology and automation that fits well with the demand for quality in the automotive arena.

    The only way to meet the need for 100-percent inspection, for example, is through automation, he said, and the LaPorte plant will soon be equipped with robotic cameras.

    The company also has a strong balance sheet that brings future stability to Jaeger-Unitek for the near future. The recession the past couple of years was difficult for Unitek, as sales were cut in half in 2008 and early 2009, Dilley said, though the firm has seen most of that come back.

    “We're excited about what's happening here,” he said. “There aren't a lot of employers in our area that are expanding right now, and we believe concerns about our ability to grow are behind us.”

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber & Plastics 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].

    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 & Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber & Plastics 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.

    web
    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Contact the 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 © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • ITEC
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Coronavirus
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Technical Notebooks
      • International Elastomer Show
      • Women in Tire & Rubber
      • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Newsletters
      • Rubber in Automotive
      • Silicone News
      • Latex News
      • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Multimedia
      • Videos
      • Photo Galleries
    • Directory
    • Resources
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Data
    • Events
      • RPN Events
      • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • ITEC Library
      • International Silicone Conference Library
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION