History of HEXPOL

History of HEXPOL
A history to be proud of – HEXPOL Group has more than a century of experience from around the world in rubber, thermoplastic, TPE compounding and engineered products.

Two brothers, one vision

What was destined to become HEXPOL Group was originally established in 1893 by two industrious and forward-thinking brothers, Carl and Willhelm Gislow.

The brothers had migrated to the USA in the late 1800s and worked in the rubber industry there. Upon their return to Sweden they put their expertise to work and decided to set up their own company, producing galoshes and, eventually, car tires. The original name of the company was Gislaved Gummi (Gislaved Rubber). 

Over the following century the company expanded into more technically demanding production processes, including the manufacture of gaskets for plate heat exchangers. Gislaved Gummi was acquired by Hexagon in 1994 and proceeded to grow quickly through strategic acquisitions around the globe. 

In 2008 the business unit Hexagon Polymers was renamed HEXPOL and listed on the NASDAQ OMX NORDIC stock exchange.  

Since 2008 HEXPOL Group has continued to expand its market share and operations with modern units located around the globe. 

Our long history and partnership-based approach with customers sets us apart in the polymer compounding industry. More than a century of experience with some of the most advanced applications and production methods, our cutting-edge development teams and material innovation capabilities, make us a truly global player with one of the most extensive material portfolios available. 

Timeline

The principal phases in the development into the current HEXPOL have been:

1893
The Gislow brothers form a rubber factory in Gislaved
1893
1966
A new factory for the product known as Technical Rubber is built
1966
1990
The Technical Rubber division becomes Gislaved Gummi AB
1990
1991
Production of gaskets for plate heat exchangers is acquired
1991
1994
Hexagon AB acquires the company
1994
1995
Stellana AB in Laxå, Sweden is acquired
1995
1998
Elastomeric Engineering in Sri Lanka is acquired
1998
2002
GFD Technology in Germany is acquired
2002
2004
Thona group of Belgium, with operations in Belgium, Czech Republic, Canada and the US, is acquired
2004
2005
Trostel SEG (Stellana Inc.) in the US is acquired
2005
2007
Establishment of three new units for rubber compounds, wheels and gaskets in China and a new unit for rubber compounds in Mexico.
2007
2007
GoldKey Processing in the US is acquired
2007
2008
Change in corporate identity from Hexagon Polymers to HEXPOL
2008
2008
Distribution of HEXPOL to Hexagon's shareholders and listing of the share on the Nasdaq OMX Nordic
2008
2009
Restructuring programme and closure of the compounding operation in Canada
2009
2010
ELASTO Group with operations in Sweden and the UK is acquired
2010
2010
The global rubber compounds group, Excel Polymers, with operations in the US, China, the UK and Mexico, is acquired
2010
2011
Excel Polymers is re-branded as Burton Rubber Processing, Colonial Rubber Works, Chase Elastomer and HEXPOL Compounding
2011
2012
The German TPE compounding company, Müller Kunststoffe, is acquired
2012
2011
Capacity investments in the emerging markets Mexico and China
2011
2012
Robbins, a leading US rubber compounding company, is acquired
2012
2013
Capacity investments in HEXPOL Compounding in Mexico and China and within HEXPOL TPE Compounding
2013
2014
Kardoes Rubber, a well-known US Rubber Compounding manufacturer, is acquired
2014
2014
Vigar Rubber Compounding, a well-known European Rubber Compounding manufacturer, is acquired
2014
2014
Portage Precision Polymers, a well-known US Rubber Compounding manufacturer, is acquired
2014
2015
RheTech Thermoplastic Compounding, with four American facilities, within specialized Thermoplastic Compounding is acquired
2015
2015
Continued capacity investments within rubber compounding in Mexico
2015
2016
Berwin Group, a well-known leading British Rubber Compounder, is acquired
2016
2016
HEXPOL TPE starts production and product development in North America
2016
2016
Re-branding of Elasto AB, Elasto UK and Müller Kunststoffe to HEXPOL TPE
2016
2017
Trelleborg Material & Mixing Lesina, a well-known Czech Rubber Compounder, is acquired
2017
2017
Valley Processing, a well-known US Rubber Compounder, is acquired
2017
2018
Kirkhill Rubber, a well-known US Rubber Compounder, is acquired
2018
2018
80 percent of the shares in Mesgo Group, a notable Italian high-performance elastomers compounder, is acquired (the remaining 20% was acquired in 2020)
2018
2019
Preferred Compounding, a well-known US Rubber Compounder, is acquired
2019
2021
VICOM 2002 S.L., a Spanish Polymer Compounder active in the wire and cable segment, is acquired
2021
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