Local and National Reach: The Growth of ELBEX and Custom Rubber Extrusions in Ohio

ELBEX • March 18, 2016

At Elbex, we have been delving deep into research and innovation in rubber extrusions and custom rubber profiling and the good work has brought us sizeable local and national acclaim. Being an ISO certified company with leading silicone and rubber extrusion portfolios, we have created extrusions for a wide range of industries and got the opportunity to serve clients from across the world. 

As rubber extrusion manufacturers, we have been leaders in innovation and have mastered the art and science of custom rubber extrusion. As you would surmise, a slight history has been lived in between we first started and where we are now. Here are a few select glimpses. 

History: the chapters covered  

Edward L. Bittle, like many other young men of 40’s and 50’s Akron, Ohio found employment in the budding rubber industry of the city. Edward worked at B.F. Goodrich with all dedication and perseverance.Even he was working there, the student in him kept absorbing the vital knowledge bits of the industry. It was here that Edward was struck with the idea of tapping on a niche market.

Seal Master was co-founded by Edward in 1974. As a manufacturer of custom seals, the aim of the company was to fulfill the growing requirement for silicone and rubber extrusions. Seal Master was also aimed at expediting and integrating the manufacturing process under a roof; something that the industry was not used to back then. 

When this demand was met, Ed swiftly moved on to the custom rubber profile extrusion industry. This is where ELBEX was born. The company received ISO 9001:2008 certification in 2010. 

Ohio rubber extrusion manufacturing

As the company was incorporated in Ohio, Ed struck small business deals with many companies based out of Ohio. The bond that was created then spelled out a name for ELBEX when it delved into the densely competitive Ohio rubber extrusion manufacturing industry. 

Today, ELBEX has a name for itself in custom rubber extrusions and rubber profile extrusions in Ohio. Like most other locations in and outside the US, the Ohio rubber profile extrusions chapter has been immensely successful for ELBEX. 

Ohio architectural profiles

Architectural profiles have lately been our show-off badge and a string of successfully closed projects with some of the highest rated construction companies in Ohio has seen our Ohio architectural profiles division boom unconditionally in the last decade. 

If you are in Ohio and need information on custom rubber extrusions and rubber profiling, fill out a short form and we will get back immediately. 

By David Garman September 12, 2025
Across industries, reliable seals that can handle water, air, and temperature fluctuations are essential. As an expert manufacturer of rubber bulb seals and specialized silicone rubber seals that can be used as bulb gasket seals, Elbex helps you create superior barriers for a wide range of manufacturing applications. The Unique Design and Sealing Power of Bulb Seals Bulb seals get their name from their unique design, which includes a mounting mechanism (base), as well as a compressible bulb section. After it has been put in place, the bulb section compresses against the surrounding surface area to fill a void or gap. This creates a tight, powerful seal that blocks air, dust, water, and other contaminants. Elbex's Expertise in Custom Bulb Seal Manufacturing Elbex’s custom bulb seal manufacturing expertise ensures that your rubber bulb seals meet all performance requirements for strong, durable results. This starts with our knowledge of which rubber materials work best for different applications and environmental factors. For example, silicone rubber seals work well for applications requiring extreme temperature resistance, flexibility, and resistance to environmental factors. Our custom design and engineering capabilities enable us to accommodate nearly any application, ensuring a perfect fit and reliable performance based on your unique specifications. Comprehensive quality control further ensures that your rubber seal will meet and even exceed expectations, achieving proper compression while resisting issues like compression set. Versatile Applications Across Industries Rubber seals are found in many different industries, highlighting the versatile nature of these components. For example, rubber seals are most commonly used around doors, windows, and hatches to provide a tight seal against air, sound, and dust (including in vehicles and appliances). However, bulb gasket seals are also used to create tight water barriers in marine applications, outdoor electrical enclosures, and storage compartments. Silicone rubber seals can also help contain extreme heat or cold in industrial mixing, processing, and food service applications. Why Elbex is the Premier Choice for Bulb Seals If you need bulb seals, make Elbex your manufacturing partner. With unmatched customization options, comprehensive material expertise and engineering support, and guaranteed quality, our team will help your application succeed. Contact us today to discuss your specific application needs and learn more about the sealing power of our custom-designed seals.
By David Garman August 29, 2025
Today’s appliances need to perform at a higher standard than ever – and seals and gaskets play a vital role in making that possible. Specialized appliance gaskets and appliance seals deliver reliable barriers against heat, cold, and other hazards. As a leading provider of high-quality appliance rubber extrusions, Elbex’s custom extruded rubber gaskets for appliance manufacturing will provide the performance you need. The Essential Role of Rubber in Appliance Performance Gaskets and seals create a reliable barrier that keeps appliances functioning properly. These barriers fill a wide range of roles, such as preventing leaks in washing machines and dishwashers, helping refrigerators and ovens maintain desired temperatures, and securing components and eliminating vibrations in washers and dryers. Notably, these extrusions must be able to perform with exposure to water, extreme heat and cold, and other hazards. Elbex's Expertise in Custom Appliance Extrusions At Elbex, our team takes a collaborative approach in creating custom appliance extrusions for your business. We draw on our deep knowledge of different rubber compounds to select materials that meet industry and regulatory standards. For example, while silicone is best for high heat/food contact, EPDM is better for weather/water resistance. Materials expertise is paired with an advanced extrusion process, which forces uncured rubber through custom dies to create precise, fully cured profiles. Rather than carrying an inventory, we custom-manufacture every product to meet your exact requirements, ensuring superior stability and performance. Versatile Appliance Applications & Custom Profiles Appliance gaskets (which are static surfaces) and seals (which are moving parts) fill many roles in the appliance industry. Formed hoses and water resistance seals in washing machines and dishwashers, air barrier seals in refrigerators and ovens, and even blender lid seals provide necessary containment for appliances. Gaskets and seals can also eliminate vibrations and secure components. Our custom profile options include extruded gaskets and seals, bulb seals, custom extruded rubber d-sections, and custom extruded ribbed profiles. Each of these options can aid with filling voids, creating seals/barriers, reducing vibration, and more. Elbex's Unwavering Support and Resources Working with Elbex means you get a team that is committed to the success of its customers. Our team is ready to assist right from the start, offering guidance on materials selection and design assistance (including additional technical resources) to ensure the design and finished components meet your performance requirements. By doing all custom tooling in-house, we can also deliver our results faster and cheaper than if the work was outsourced, even while maintaining extremely high quality standards.  With our extensive expertise in high-quality appliance rubber extrusions, including appliance gaskets and appliance seals, you can count on Elbex to help ensure that your appliances are reliable and compliant for your own customers. To learn more about our custom extruded rubber gaskets for appliance manufacturing, contact us today.
By David Garman August 22, 2025
This is a subtitle for your new post