RMA releases survey on finished rubber products

Nov. 21, 2005

The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), through its General Products Group, has released its "2005 Industry Practices and Performance Survey." The report provides current industry data on domestic manufacturers of belting, hose, seals, roll coverings, and other molded & extruded products.

"This report provides unique perspectives of the current U.S. finished rubber-product industry," says Kevin Ott, vice president of the General Products Group. "With the rapid changes now occurring in our industry, this survey probes for insights on the current business climate, as well as key indicators of future performance."

The report reveals industry trends in the areas of company demographics, finance, research and development, health and safety, human resources, production, quality, customer relations, overseas activities and trade, E-business, and growth projections.

Key findings of the 2005 report include the following:

* a continuing increase in offshore manufacturing capabilities;

* steady increases in all material costs; and, not surprisingly,

* demands for greater price reductions from automotive customers.

The report is based on a survey of the manufacturing members of the General Products Group. The responses are based on the 2004 business year and are benchmarked against the survey data from 2002, 2000, and 1998.

The report is free to participants and available for purchase by RMA members and the general public. Electronic and paper copies of the report are available for $199 for RMA members and $499 for non-RMA members. Orders can be placed on the RMA Web site at www.rma.org or by contacting Theresa Johnson at (202) 682-4827.