WATERTOWN, S.D.—Glacial Lakes Rubber & Plastics L.L.C. was asked to represent South Dakota at the White House as part of President Trump's Made in America Product Showcase in July, which highlighted manufacturing companies from each state across the U.S.
It's easy to see why.
The firm has continued to grow since its founding in 2014 and will soon expand for a third time, this time more than doubling its manufacturing footprint to 68,000 square feet.
Founder and CEO Robb Peterson said the new addition to its current facility will break ground in the fall and hopes to have the building ready by spring of 2019.
The project will represent about a $2.5 million investment and is projected to add about 30 jobs, bringing the company's employment between 90 and 100 when operational.
"Business has been great," Peterson said. "It's been straight uphill and all the curves are going in the right direction. Every market we service has been seeing increases. It's all been a rising tide out there in the economy. We're seeing market share increases in every area."
Glacial Lakes' primary business is producing rubber soles for Vibram, which Peterson said accounts for about 75 percent of its sales. However, the firm has experienced significant growth within its other industries—namely automotive, agriculture and heavy off-road industrial applications. It utilizes NBR, chloroprene, SBR and EPDM, among other rubber compounds.
Other rubber products include vehicle sound dampening items, bumpers, gaskets, nuclear waste parts, large cattle products for agriculture and heavy industry parts for semi-trucks. The firm also produces overmolded liquid diaphragms.