Our History – The Story of ELBEX

ELBEX • September 20, 2020
Elbex - Natural Rubber Products

ELBEX was incorporated in 1991 to design and manufacture custom rubber profiles and extrusions. Since then, we have built a strong reputation as a leading extrusion manufacturer. Staying true to our past is key for ensuring a successful future.

Our Beginnings

ELBEX was founded by Edward L. Bittle, who used his experiences working in the “rubber capital” of Akron, Ohio in the 1940s and 50s to found our sister company Seal Master in 1974. As Seal Master grew, Bittle initially brought in rubber and silicone extrusion operations to expedite his company’s manufacturing process. However, this soon grew into an opportunity to provide custom rubber profiles and extrusions to others, and ELBEX was born.

Industries Served

Drawing from this rich background, our team has serviced a wide range of industries over the years. Our products have been used in automotive, water control, mass transit, construction, architectural applications, and more.

Today and Beyond

ELBEX first achieved ISO Certification in 2010, and has continued to grow as a leader in rubber extrusion manufacturing since then. By combining our experience with strong vendor and supplier relationships, we have been able to exceed customer expectations and grow our operations as we look forward to our 30th anniversary.

While our past has laid a strong foundation for our business, we are even more excited for what the future has in store. By continuing to innovate and expand our capabilities, we know that even better days are ahead.
 

By David Garman September 26, 2025
There are a lot of choices in the rubber manufacturing industry – so how can you find a truly reliable partner? The right qualifications can make all the difference. As an ISO certified leader in rubber and silicone extrusions, Elbex’s commitment to precision and quality control can give you much-needed peace of mind. And with our team’s unparalleled expertise in creating standard and custom rubber profiles, you can have confidence that you’ve found the right partner for the job. The Foundation of Trust: ISO Certified Excellence Our ISO certification is more than just a badge. It shows our commitment to a rigorous Quality Management System (QMS). Earning and maintaining this certification is only possible because our processes for design, manufacturing, and customer service are consistently audited and continue to meet a global standard of excellence. ISO certification means that every gasket and custom rubber profile – no matter how simple or complex – is made with consistent quality. It means our processes ensure predictable lead times and reliable delivery schedules for every project. And perhaps most importantly, it requires a culture of continuous improvement. We’re always trying to become even better. The Power of Versatility: Dense vs. Sponge Rubber Extrusions Another example of the Elbex difference is our ability to work with both dense and sponge rubber materials. Dense rubber is solid, non-porous, highly durable, and excellent for creating robust barriers, such as water and air seals, bumpers for impact absorption, and gaskets for high-pressure systems. On the other hand, sponge rubber’s lightweight cellular structure and superior compression set make it excellent for insulation applications with lower compression force, such as weatherstripping, sound dampening, vibration isolation, and sealing. Our team’s ability to handle both types of rubber allows us to provide a wider range of solutions, making us the versatile and capable partner you need. Your Vision, Our Expertise: Creating Custom Rubber Profiles Standard rubber profiles don’t always fit the unique needs of your application. And with extensive design capabilities, Elbex can bring your specific vision to life. From simple D-sections and U-channels to complex multi-functional extrusions, our customization capabilities ensure you get the precise results you need. This is all made possible thanks to our in-house engineering and tooling capabilities. With full control over the design and manufacturing process, we can achieve faster prototyping at reduced costs as we create truly custom rubber profiles for your application – benefits that are all passed directly to you.  A Complete Solution: Partnership from Start to Finish When you work with Elbex, you get a true partner who is with you from start to finish. Our engineers work hand in hand with you from the initial concept to the final product. From recommending the best material for optimal performance and our ISO-certified manufacturing processes to value-added services like cutting, splicing, and taping, you can get a ready-to-install product that perfectly fulfills your application requirements. Experience the Elbex difference for yourself! Contact us today to discuss your project and get started.
By David Garman September 19, 2025
Durability and precision are non-negotiables in industrial and manufacturing facilities. This is equally true of the industrial rubber extrusions that are used to ensure the safety, efficiency, and longevity of other equipment. At Elbex, our expertise in manufacturing rubber profiles ensures your facility gets the lasting performance it deserves. Here’s what you need to know about our custom extruded rubber profiles for industrial applications. Why Rubber Extrusions Are Essential For Industrial Performance Rubber extrusions are small but mighty. In industrial facilities, they are primarily used as durable buffers that reduce movement and vibration between surfaces. This is crucial for preventing structural damage to equipment and facilities. Rubber extrusions can also be used to create barriers against air, water, and sound. Of course, these extrusions need to be able to withstand harsh conditions, such as direct sunlight and dramatic temperature changes that could cause expansion and contraction. Elbex’s manufacturing expertise ensures that rubber extrusions meet these important requirements. Elbex's Expertise in Custom Solutions for Manufacturing With Elbex, you get the added advantage of custom-tailored solutions. Our engineers work closely with your team to understand your unique project needs. This collaborative approach helps us fine-tune the design and choose the right materials that will meet the specific regulatory standards and applicable codes that apply to your application. With custom extruded rubber profiles for industrial applications, you get a perfect fit and optimal performance for each project. A Diverse Range of Industrial Applications Our comprehensive customization options mean we can produce rubber extrusions for a variety of industrial applications. Some of our most common applications include extruded rubber expansion joints to mitigate stress from expansion, contraction, and vibration in buildings, as well as glazing systems, bulb seals for doors and hatches, and D-sections for filling voids and creating barriers against air, water, and extreme temperatures. We also produce piping systems and ramps, which protect exposed pipes and conduits from damage by heavy machinery or traffic (especially on construction sites), as well as extruded rubber bumpers, which serve as cushions to absorb impacts. No matter what your application entails, we can provide a customized solution that delivers optimal performance. The Elbex Advantage: A Partnership for Success When you work with Elbex, you enter a partnership designed for your success. Our comprehensive engineering resources provide the support you need throughout the design and manufacturing process. This includes expert design assistance and material selection support for superior performance, as well as on-site tooling and other value-added services that reduce costs and lead times while providing ready-to-use components. If you need help with custom rubber extrusions for your industrial facility, contact Elbex today. Our team will be happy to help you optimize your operations with custom-tailored solutions.
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.