The rubber industry was an active sector during 2013. There were acquisitions and expansions, along with court battles, price-fixing charges and a relatively calm round of master contract negotiations with the top three tire makers and the United Steelworkers union. At the center of it all, though, was the planned purchase of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. by Apollo Tyres Ltd., a deal that still isn't completed and is the subject of a court case.
January
Goodall Rubber Co. of Canada moves to beef up its primary hose plant's space and production capacity.
Trelleborg A.B. continues its era of expansion, completing its purchase of Maine Industrial Tire L.L.C. and expanding a factory in England to serve the oil and gas field.
The ACS Rubber Division devises a new name for its fall conferences and expos—the International Rubber Conference.
Dash Multi-Corp.'s founder sells the maker of recycled rubber products, among other items, to Arsenal Capital Partners.
Agricultural tire maker Mitas Tires North America Inc. announces plans to continue to expand its Charles City, Iowa, factory.
R.T. Vanderbilt Co. Inc. embarks on a reorganization of its North American operations and expects to complete a $30 million expansion in the summer.
Michelin North America Inc. launches a $200 million expansion of its Starr, S.C., tire plant, and plans to upgrade and expand its Waterville, Nova Scotia, facility.
A drop in demand for some tire segments moves Goodyear to cut 241 employees at two factories.
