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
    • Smithers webinars focus on performance materials in green tires
      Ford to close 3 plants, end production in Brazil, costing $4.1 billion
      Study: Vehicle buyers cling to familiarity amid pandemic
      Kumho launches commercial LT, performance tire lines
    • Smithers webinars focus on performance materials in green tires
      Ferentino Tyre opens Sri Lanka plant; eyes exports to U.S., Europe
      Kumho launches commercial LT, performance tire lines
      Taiwan tire makers propose settlement of import duties case
    • JobsOhio funding gives Sperry & Rice room to grow
      TRAC's Glenn Maidment caps 51-year rubber industry career
      LafargeHolcim looks to solidify U.S. presence with Firestone Building Products purchase
      Hankook Tire holding company adopts Hankook & Co. identity
    • Smithers webinars focus on performance materials in green tires
      Endurica earns prestigious Tibbetts Award from SBA
      Kuraray to raise elastomer prices again
      Synthomer optimistic, raises earnings forecast
    • Safic-Alcan extends distribution agreement with Momentive
      Momentive aims to grow silicone presence in Asia-Pacific region
      IRP Medical solidifies portfolio with KDL deal
      Rubber lab services firm Ace reports record year
    • 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
      Top Glove reopens COVID-hit factories with enhanced precautions
    • Jack Murphy joins Akron Dispersions
      Adriano Alfani named Versalis CEO
      Maroon Group adds to Southeast sales team
      ASTM taps rubber executive as new board member
    • Paycheck Protection Program funding reopens Jan. 15
      Taiwan tire makers propose settlement of import duties case
      Lobbying group unveils policy agenda to speed transition to EVs
      NADA, bank group to assess political contributions after U.S. Capitol siege
    • 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
      Column: Still far way from normal
    • 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
      A comparative study looking at effects of curing kinetics and batch variation on SBR injection molding and numerical analytics
    • 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
      Rubber Division seeking abstracts for Spring Technical Meeting
    • 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: MonTech introduces 1,500 kN lab press
      New products: 3M introduces new durable, pliable medical adhesive
      New Products: Lanxess launches energy-efficient PU elastomer
      New Products: MonTech automates bale cutter for safety, productivity
    • 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
    • Smithers webinars focus on performance materials in green tires
      Ford to close 3 plants, end production in Brazil, costing $4.1 billion
      Study: Vehicle buyers cling to familiarity amid pandemic
      Kumho launches commercial LT, performance tire lines
    • Safic-Alcan extends distribution agreement with Momentive
      Momentive aims to grow silicone presence in Asia-Pacific region
      IRP Medical solidifies portfolio with KDL deal
      Rubber lab services firm Ace reports record year
    • Jack Murphy joins Akron Dispersions
      Synthomer optimistic, raises earnings forecast
      Top Glove reopens COVID-hit factories with enhanced precautions
      Malaysia electronics group to enter rubber gloves sector
  • 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 Selectâ„¢: 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
July 01, 2019 10:41 AM

Big deals rule as top rubber companies stay steady

Bruce Meyer
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Just because there wasn't much of a shake-up in the rankings of the top North American rubber product companies doesn't mean there wasn't much activity going on. In fact, nothing can be further from the truth.

    A number of companies at the top of the Rubber & Plastics News annual ranking of the Top 50 Rubber Product Makers in North America, along with the Top 50 Non-Tire Global Rubber Product Firms, were involved in deals that will impact both of these rankings in the years to come.

    Just to scratch the surface, Michelin purchased belting firm Fenner P.L.C. for $1.73 billion in a deal that became effective May 31, 2018. Besides boosting Michelin's sales in North America and around the globe, it also gave Michelin its first spot ever in the Global Non-Tire Top 50, as it was able to rake in seven months of Fenner's sales after the deal was completed.

    Compiling the Top 50

    The annual Rubber & Plastics News ranking of the Top 50 North American rubber product manufacturers is the product of several research tools.

    The financial information is derived from a questionnaire sent to about 75 companies, via annual reports and a variety of financial documents, and from various industry sources. The firms all have a North American manufacturing presence, and the rankings are based on rubber product sales on the continent.

    Data for the rankings of the world’s Top 50 non-tire rubber product makers is compiled by Rubber & Plastics News and sister publication European Rubber Journal.

    If you believe your company should have been included in the North American or global rankings, please email RPN Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Continental also got in the act, as it acquired the AVS business of Cooper Standard Automotive in a deal that just closed April 1, so its effect won't be seen until 2020. For its part, Cooper Standard also was on the other end of another major deal, purchasing Lauren Manufacturing and Lauren Plastics in July 2018.

    In another mega-deal that is still pending, Parker-Hannifin Corp. will add significantly to its rubber product revenues when its purchase of Lord Corp., announced this May, becomes finalized. Parker is paying $3.68 billion for Lord, which itself just passed $1 billion in total revenues in 2018.

    The automotive world also saw a major acquisition when Tenneco purchased Federal-Mogul for $5.4 billion in a purchase that was finalized last Oct. 1. It originally planned to split the combined company back in two, but those plans are on hold for the time being.

    But even with all the mergers and acquisition activity, the names at the top of both the North American and global rankings—based on 2018 revenues—remained pretty much the same.

    Bridgestone Americas Inc. again topped the North American Top 50, checking in with an estimated $10.9 billion in sales for the year, just a tad bit more than 2017.

    And after all the tallying was done, the Top 10 for 2018 were the same 10 as 2017. The top six spots were unchanged, though there was some shuffling in the Nos. 7-9 positions.

    Michelin again was runner-up to Bridgestone, checking in with $9.09 billion in North American rubber product sales, also up just a bit from the prior year, even with the addition of some of Fenner's sales

    Related Article
    Bridgestone remains world's largest tire maker, Michelin shaking up rankings

    Again rounding out the top six were Goodyear at No. 3 with an estimated $7.2 billion in rubber product sales for the year; Continental No. 4 at $5.39 billion, bolstered by both tire sales and revenue from its ContiTech non-tire rubber goods business; Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. at No. 5 with an estimated $2.28 billion in sales on the continent; and Cooper Standard, at $1.83 billion.

    As for the rest of the Top 10, Toyo Tire (USA) moved up a position to take No. 7 with about $1.8 billion; Parker up a slot to No. 8 with an estimated $1.79 billion; Hankook Tire America Corp., down two spots to No. 9 with $1.78 billion; and Gates Industrial Corp., which kept the No. 10 position with $1.62 billion. Gates ended its first year as a public company after launching an IPO at the start of 2018.

    Rubber products sales generally rose for those at the top of the rankings, with eight of the top 10 firms and 11 of the Top 15 posting higher sales for 2018. The aggregate rubber product sales in North America for the Top 10 rose just under 3 percent to $43.7 billion, compared with the $42.4 billion in revenues posted by the same firms in 2017.

    Rounding out the Top 15, were Yokohama Tire Corp., up one spot to No. 11 at $1.57 billion; Hutchinson North America up two to No. 12 at $1.5 billion; Sumitomo Rubber North America, down two to No. 13 with $1.35 billion; Carlisle Companies Inc., up one to No. 14 with an estimated $1.32 billion; and Pirelli Tire North America, down two to No. 15 with $1.18 billion.

    Those 15 firms that totaled $1 billion or more of rubber product sales were one more than in last year's rankings, with Carlisle reaching that mark in 2018.

    Of the North American Top 50, 16 of the firms derive at least a portion of their sales from tires. The newest addition to that list was Giti Tire (USA) Ltd., which made its debut in the rankings tied for No. 25 with estimated North American revenues of $600 million for 2018. Giti opened its first North American tire factory in the second half of 2017, and a company must have a manufacturing presence on the continent to be eligible.

    The other two newcomers to the rankings were FlexFab L.L.C. and the U.S. business unit of Datwyler Holding A.G. The two tied for No. 50 with $120 million in revenues, with FlexFab returning to the rankings after an absence and Datwyler making its debut, after opening a new U.S. plant and posting growth in North America.

    Those dropping off the list were Fenner, with its purchase by Michelin, and Nishikawa Cooper L.L.C, for which sales data from 2018 wasn't available.

    Non-tire rankings

    Like the North American rankings, there wasn't a lot of shuffling among the leaders, with the top five spots unchanged.

    Continental once again ranked as No. 1, with its ContiTech unit posting 2018 non-tire rubber product sales of $6.81 billion, followed closely by Freudenberg Group at No. 2 with $6.68 billion.

    Rounding out the top five were Hutchinson at $5.78 billion, Sumitomo Riko at an estimated $4.05 billion and Cooper Standard at an estimated $3.45 billion, the highest ranking U.S.-based firm on the list.

    There was some shakeup in the rest of the Top 10, with Gates moving up two spots to No. 6 with $3.35 billion; Bridgestone down a spot to No. 7 at $3.31 billion; NOK Inc. also down one to No. 8 with $3.26 billion; Parker-Hannifin climbing two spots to No. 9 with an estimated $2.86 billion; and Trelleborg remaining steady at No. 10 with $2.81 billion.

    Malaysia's Supermax Corp., a producer of latex gloves, debuted on the list at No. 12 with $1.96 billion. Michelin also debuted on the list at No. 43 with $613.2 million, off of Fenner-related revenue posted after the acquisition became final.

    The U.S. had the most companies represented in the Non-Tire Top 50, with 17. That was followed by Japan with 13 and Germany with six. Other nations with multiple entries included France with three and China, Sweden and Malaysia with two each. Those with one company making the rankings were the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, Austria and Switzerland.

    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