Chasing niches.

The overwhelming majority of rubber product manufacturers are niche manufacturers. If you are not an automobile or truck tire maker, or to some extent a producer of hoses and belts, you are probably considered a niche manufacturer. There are even a number of niche manufacturers within the tire, hose and belt industries.

The presence of some type of rubber in a variety of manufactured items makes most industries, not just automotive, important to many in this industry. The versatility of rubber enables the material to increase its applications on a regular basis in many of these industries.

Many times rubber usage increases because manufacturers recognize that elastomeric materials can add value to their products. Toiletry products like brushes (hair and teeth), and almost every tool (screwdrivers, hammers, brooms, rakes, etc.) are everyday household items that have been enhanced by elastomers, mostly for ergonomic reasons, but also as an increase in perceived value. These industries came to the rubber product manufacturer.

The silicone products industry is undergoing a similar expansion of usage, mainly because of the material's inherent properties. The medical and food industries are prime examples. These industries are specifying more silicone products because it gives them the product they want. Silicone is making inroads in several industries, which are detailed in articles this month on pages 16 ("New opportunities for using silicone") and 22 ("Silicone rubber: Meeting new challenges"). Our technical editor, John Byers, also looks at silicone in a new column called "Tech Bytes" on page 6.

While many new uses for rubber are implemented within the various markets, the rubber industry continues to search for more niches. Part of that effort was put forth by the Rubber Division and the Rubber Manufacturers Association at recent meetings. The two groups collaborated on the 3rd Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference last month in Akron, and the RMA presented a "Scrap to Profit" conference at Clemson University in April.

Both endeavors were undertaken to increase markets for ground rubber, while at the same time reducing the number of scrap tires nationwide. These niches have to be pursued because the industries they target aren't exactly beating down the rubber industry's doors for product, even though the product is enhanced.