North America's Top 50: Non-tire companies make headlines

As one of the largest North American rubber products makers, you're bound to be making news each year. Here's a look at some of the news made by non-tire makers in the last 12 months.

NEWMARKET, Ontario—It was a record-setting end of the year for AirBoss of America Corp. as the company concluded the year in a strong position to enter 2022.

In December 2021, a delayed shipment of nitrile gloves from Malaysia did cause AirBoss of America Corp. to revise its 2021 outlook. The gloves, sold by its AirBoss Defense Group business segment, were delayed from their anticipated fourth-quarter delivery to the first quarter of 2022. This timeframe still fell within the company's contractual obligation window for delivery.

This shipment fulfilled the latter portion of a contract reached in mid-March with the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services for the production and sale of nitrile patient examination gloves, a pact worth up to $576 million.

Though it was the largest single glove order AirBoss has received to date, demand for the company's products overall was quite high through the year.

According to Chairman and CEO P. Gren Schoch, "we have continued to receive glove, boot and mask contracts as well as contracts for many other products" throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

MILAN—Alfagomma expanded its United Kingdom footprint in March 2021. The fluid handling systems manufacturer finalized the acquisition of British industrial hose and fluid power products provider Kiowa Ltd. Continuing to operate under its own branding, Kiowa now will have the support of the Italian company.

NINGGUO CITY, China—Anhui Zhongding Sealing Parts Co. Ltd. announced the acquisition of Bridgestone's anti-vibration business on Dec. 10, 2021.

With the move, Anhui Zhongding gains a business that reported nearly $500 million dollars in sales last year—a business with eight manufacturing sites and 3,850 employees.

MELKSHAM, England—Bouncing back like the material that until recently had been in its name, Avon Protection P.L.C. fell and then quickly rebounded in late December 2021. Immediately after announcing the closure of its body armor business on Dec. 15, the company saw shares drop around 15 percent to around $1.12. However, the following week brought a return of confidence with a Dec. 21 showing at about $1.45, 23 percent above the previous week's low.

NORTHVILLE, Mich.—Cooper- Standard is in an enviable position among auto parts makers in that its main product lines are relevant to the next generation of vehicles. But that doesn't mean that the decisions it faces are easy ones. The need to speed up innovation in all areas at once has put pressure on the auto parts provider to put its research time and money into not-yet standardized technologies.

"There are so many platforms that are in the middle of evolving at different OEMs. As a supplier, you have to be able to work with all of them," said Chris Couch, Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.'s senior vice president and chief technology and procurement officer.

NORDBORG, Denmark—One of the most talked about deals of the past year was Danfoss Co.'s acquisition of the hydraulics unit of Eaton Corp.

The transaction closed Aug. 2, 2021, nearly 19 months after the agreement was first reached. The $3.3 billion acquisition was contingent upon U.S. Department of Justice and European regulatory agency approval and the subsequent divestment of the orbital motor and hydraulics steering units of Danfoss and Eaton facilities.

The hydraulics business accounted for approximately 10 percent of Eaton's operations and will combine with the Danfoss Power Solutions business segment. About 10,000 employees will be added to Danfoss, effectively doubling the size of the company's hydraulics operations.

ALTDORF, Switzerland—In recent months, Datwyler Holding A.G. has increased its presence both domestically and internationally with major acquisitions in Northeast Ohio and China.

The $625 million acquisition of Northeast Ohio-based manufacturer QSR Inc. expands Datwyler's North American footprint.

The deal closed May 13.

The Swiss polymer group also acquired Chinese health care elastomer components manufacturer Yantai Xinhui Packing, closing on the deal in March. This strategic move will give Datwyler direct access to the fast-growing Chinese health care market.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Divesting some of its rubber-related businesses is all part of EnPro Industries Inc.'s vision for becoming "a leading industrial technology company."

Under buyer Cleveland-based Edgewater Capital Partners ownership, the business will be renamed Altamira Material Solutions.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.—A March 1 joint venture with Guizhou Guihang Automotive Components Co. Ltd. widens Henniges footprint in China. It also takes a large step toward closing the already narrow gap the company has identified between itself and the No. 1 market leader in the country's sealing space.

PARIS—Electric vehicles will charge "on the go" thanks to a "shared energy platform" provided by Israeli startup ElectReon and supported by Hutchinson's center for research and innovation and global locations.

The electric road system involves under-road units of copper coils that transfer electricity grid sourced energy to the roads and approaching vehicles.

Hutchinson's center for research and innovation is supporting ElectReon's international development.

VIENNA, Austria—The first quarter of 2022 was down significantly for Semperit A.G. Holding, compared to an exceptional 2021.

The decline in sales largely was due to the lessening demand for medical gloves as the global COVID-19 pandemic has eased. According to a May 18 news release, earnings for the first three months of 2022 fell 70 percent to $38.3 million.

Semperit's industrial sector, however, recorded strong growth during the first quarter of the year. This 31.4-percent year-on-year increase in revenue reflects growth across all businesses.

LAKE FOREST, Ill.—Tenneco Inc. said on Feb. 23 that it will be going private.

The Lake Forest-based auto parts maker agreed to an all-cash acquisition by private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc. with an enterprise value of $7.1 billion, including debt.