Michigan-based Zhongli North America acquired Minnesota-based Stern Rubber Company
Kenneth Rohan, vice president of operations for Zhongli North America, “The acquisition of Stern Rubber Company is the first step in Zhongli Corporation’s strategy to establish a manufacturing presence here in North America for our automotive products and ultimately expand our capabilities for other automotive related components.”
Currently Zhongli has a 13,000 sq. ft. technical center in Madison Heights, Michigan where sales, engineering, logistics and quality control functions are performed. A second, 33,000 sq. parts storage and re-packaging warehouse facility is located in Troy, Michigan. Zhongli currently has manufacturing facilities in Shanghai and Wuhu, China.
Rohan adds, “Stern Rubber Company has the level of manufacturing capabilities we have targeted. They are a leading supplier of custom molded rubber and extruded rubber products, specializing in bonding rubber to other substrates such as metal, plastic, cables and other types of rubber. Stern has built their business in non-automotive industries and has three manufacturing facilities in Aitkin and Staples, Minnesota. Their main 50,000 sq. ft. manufacturing complex is located on 40 acres and the company currently employs 85 people.”
Stern Rubber operation manager, Robert Jackson says, “This is going to be a good fit for Stern. The opportunity to take advantage of the synergies from both companies is exciting. By combining our rubber technology and manufacturing know-how, we are confident we can make Zhongli and Stern Rubber stronger sources for a wide range of industries. We look forward to beginning the process of adding new manufacturing capacity and additional jobs for our communities here in Minnesota. It’s deja vu, since Stern just recently completed a new 12,000 sq. ft. expansion and capital equipment program to add more capability. We’re proud to be involved in bringing more manufacturing back to America.”