Synthetic and Marvinol Expansion
In Painesville, Ohio, construction has started on a new facility for the manufacture of synthetic rubber. Initially, the plant will produce Paracril, our oil resistant synthetic, but eventually we expect to make other types of synthetic rubber there. At Painesville, we are also expanding our facilities to manufacture Marvinol polyvinyl chloride resins.
First Investment in Australia
U. S. Royal tires will be manufactured in Australia. The Company has purchased an interest in S. A. Rubber Holdings Limited, and to supplement these facilities a new tire plant will soon be built on a 100-acre site in Adelaide. This investment will also give us a potential base in Australia for the manufacture of an entire line of consumer and industrial rubber and plastic products.
Footwear in Spain
For the first time, we have made an investment in Spain. We have acquired a controlling interest in Samper, S.A., a well known Spanish shoe manufacturing company located in Elche. It produces rubber, leather and fabric footwear both for the Spanish domestic markets and for export.
Footwear Plant in Southeast
In Thomson, Ga. production of Keds footwear will soon start in a new plant. This new footwear plant permits us to serve the rapidly expanding footwear market in the southeastern states.
Expanded Royalite Plant
We are equipping a plant in Warsaw, Ind. to meet the rapidly growing demand for Expanded Royalite, our thermoplastic laminate that has been successfully used in the fabrication of travel trailers, engine covers, automotive hoods and fenders.