The term “reshoring” refers to the process of returning offshore manufacturing operations to a company’s home country rather than outsourcing labor to overseas locales. Many statistics indicate that reshoring trends were already on the rise, even before a trade war and pandemic made the idea more appealing. In 2018, 1,389 companies reshored operations, ultimately returning […] The post The Challenges and Rewards of Reshoring Manufacturing to the US appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), neoprene, and silicone are long-lasting and valuable alternatives to natural rubber. Learn about the specific characteristics of each material, their advantages and disadvantages, and the applications that suit each material best. EPDM EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber. EPDM has a saturated polymer backbone, which gives it better resistance […] The post EPDM vs. Neoprene vs. Silicone appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

Rubber is available in both natural and synthetic variations. While both types demonstrate unique material characteristics that make them suitable for use in different applications, synthetic rubbers offer several advantages over natural rubbers that make them ideally suited for use in manufacturing operations. The following blog post provides a comparison between natural and synthetic rubbers, […] The post Why Should You Use Synthetic Rubber Over Natural Rubber? appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

At Universal Polymer & Rubber, we are industry leaders in both rubber and plastic extrusion. Although these types of extrusions share similar qualities, their key distinctions make them well-suited for different applications. In this blog, we’ll clarify the similarities and differences between rubber and plastic extrusions as well as outline some of the more prevalent uses […] The post What Are the Differences Between Rubber and Plastic Extrusions? appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

As we discussed in the first part of this blog series, one of the best ways to create long-term response plans to volatility is to stay informed. “Ongoing volatility” is a great way to summarize the changes in oil pricing and the status of the U.S.-China trade war. Uncertainty surrounding market and political events can […] The post The Cost of Chaos, Part 2: Oil Price & Trade War Uncertainty Continues appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

The start of 2019 carries with it several uncertainties from 2018: for example, the instability of the global supply chain caused by the United States’ trade war with China, and volatile oil prices brought about partly by ongoing situations within Venezuela and the Middle East. Despite efforts by the federal government to alleviate some of […] The post The Cost of Chaos: Economic Challenges Going Into 2019 appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

As UP&R rings in the new year, we would like to highlight some of our achievements from 2018. We’ll also present the exciting opportunities we’re anticipating for 2019 and beyond. An Overview of 2018 at UP&R 2018 was another successful and productive year for us at UP&R. We attended a number of industry trade shows, […] The post UP&R Concludes a Successful 2018 appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

Every application that requires a tarp strap has specific demands and requirements to fulfill. At Universal Polymer & Rubber, we offer three levels of tarp straps to correspond with your specifications: GOLDLINE ®, standard mid-range line, and retail line. Each of our tarp strap levels varies in strength and characteristics for trucking, boating, recreational outdoor […] The post A Tarp Strap for Every Application appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

Inspiring a New Generation of Manufacturers   National Manufacturing Day® was created as a movement of the modern manufacturing industry, meant to motivate the next generation of new manufacturers. Taking place on the first Friday of every October, manufacturers around the country will open their doors to inspire students and encourage their perusal of manufacturing […] The post National Manufacturing Day Serves as an Opportunity to Dive Deeper into 2018s Modern Manufacturing World appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more

Recently imposed Chinese tariffs on U.S. rubber imports will have significant impact on the small to medium American manufacturers that support industries such as automotive, medical equipment, petrochemical, and plastics. As part of an increasingly contentious trade war, the latest Chinese tariffs call for a 25% increase on an array of goods, such as those […] The post How New Chinese Tariffs Impact Small-Mid Sized Manufacturers appeared first on Universal Polymer & Rubber Ltd., Inc ..read more