Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Tire
    • Airless Tires
    • Non-Tire
    • More News
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Opinion
    • Online Exclusive
    • Special Reports
    • Automotive
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Sustainability
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • PFAS
    • Best Places to Work
    • War in Ukraine
    • International Tire Exhibition & Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold
  • Rubber Division IEC
  • 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
    • PFAS Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Coronavirus
October 29, 2020 10:23 AM

Trelleborg tacks toward necessary during pandemic

Andrew Schunk
Rubber & Plastics News Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Trelleborg
    A Trelleborg Sealing Solutions facility in Northborough, Mass., supplied silicone straps for the face shields produced by Boeing.

    TRELLEBORG, Sweden—With third quarter results expected Oct. 27, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has had to adapt to chaotic market conditions marked by slumping sales during the first half of 2020.

    Most of the market segments for the global supplier of seals and gaskets experienced a strong decline, and Trelleborg has said this was particularly difficult in the aerospace and automotive industries. Geographically, sales declined in most regions, with a more limited sales decline in Asia.

    But the rocky economic waters did not stop Trelleborg from tacking toward the necessary: requests from medical customers to mass produce face mask, oxygen concentrator and ventilator components to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

    And Trelleborg delivered, with five of its facilities in the sealing solutions division shifting production to meet these needs.

    "The importance of keeping operations active to do our part to support customers, particularly those in the medical industry, cannot be understated," a spokeswoman for Trelleborg A. B. said. "Adjustments to production schedules and collaboration with customers have enabled Trelleborg Sealing Solutions to quickly and effectively respond to vital requests during this demanding time."

    Trelleborg Sealing Solutions' aerospace facility in Northborough, Mass., was the first to change its routine on a request from Boeing in March 2020, when the aviation and aerospace giant asked Trelleborg to make an elastomer strap for the adjustable headband found on 3D-printed face shields. Within 48 hours, Trelleborg was able to turn around a prototype made from aerospace-grade silicone, and within a week had ramped up production to 5,000 straps per week.

    Trelleborg Sealing Solutions sites in Fort Wayne, Ind., Denver and Tijuana, Mexico, collaborated to expedite the production of components used in oxygen concentrators, ultimately delivering the parts more than a month ahead of schedule.

    In Europe, the United Kingdom was seeking ventilator components, and Trelleborg responded with a change in routine at its Cadley Hill facility to assist with rubber/fabric diaphragms. Production later scaled up to 1,000 diaphragms per week.

    "The market situation will continue to be challenging in this year's perspective," the spokeswoman said. "We do not expect any quick return to a new normal. There is still a lot of uncertainty and, consequently, we simply must adapt to market developments one step at a time."

    Related Articles
    Trelleborg expects tougher climate in coming months
    Trelleborg looking up with seals for 'Extremely Large Telescope'
    Trelleborg expands silicone operations in Minnesota
    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
    EPA targets hazardous emissions from tire rubber mixing
    2
    Meet the world's top 5 tire makers
    3
    Kumho, Synthos partner on neodymium-butadiene rubber
    4
    Goodyear names North America commercial business VP
    5
    On putting forth a clear vision: 5 questions with Conti's Andreas Gerstenberger
    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
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Tire
      • Airless Tires
      • Non-Tire
      • More News
        • Automotive
        • Executive Action
        • Government/Legal
        • Sustainability
        • Blogs
          • Products
          • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Opinion
      • Online Exclusive
      • Special Reports
        • PFAS
        • Best Places to Work
        • War in Ukraine
        • International Tire Exhibition & Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • PFAS Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION