WARCO Biltrite in Ripley sold to new company
Paragould, AR – July 27, 2022 – GRT Rubber (“GRT”), a leading manufacturer of engineered rubber products for applications across a diversified array of end-markets, announced the acquisition of the subsidiary business formerly owned by West American Rubber Company (“WARCO”) operating as Biltrite Ripley Operations LLC. in Ripley, Mississippi.
The new GRT Ripley Operation LLC. will continue to serve the rubber sheet, matting, molding, and industrial markets, with manufacturing capabilities that include custom rubber compounding and mixing, calendaring, private branding, waterjet cutting and slitting. Curing capabilities for GRT Rubber now include gauges of 1/32” up to 2” and widths up to 72”. Curing finishes include smooth, light fabric impression, matte, corrugated and KleenRite. Employees from the Ripley operation have joined the GRT team and going forward, the companies will operate under the umbrella of GRT Rubber which includes GRT, Valley Rubber and Biltrite brands.
GRT Rubber is a leading provider of conveyor belts, sheet rubber and custom molded rubber solutions for tough mining, infrastructure, and industrial applications. GRT’s full line of sheet rubber products are used for sealing, protecting, and cushioning in the road and bridge construction, building construction, and vibration isolation markets. The strategic acquisition enables continued growth of the combined businesses and the additional manufacturing capabilities allows for more product stocking opportunities as well as shorter lead times and quicker deliveries.
The combination of the Ripley and the existing GRT operations gives us the ability to offer made-to-order custom compounds, mil-spec and AASHTO certified products utilizing all rubber elastomers.
David Brown, President of GRT Rubber, said of the acquisition “I am extremely excited about the Ripley Operation joining GRT. There is a wonderful team of people associated with the Ripley operation and we now will have a center of excellence devoted to sheet rubber and molded rubber products that is unrivaled in North America.”
Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN) a publicly traded business development corporation who has been a partner and capital provider of GRT’s since 2014, helped facilitate the deal.
