Zhongli North America, Inc. Purchases Stern Rubber Company

TROY, Mich., Nov. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The purchase of Staples, Minnesota-based Stern Rubber Company (www.sternrubber.com) by Troy, Michigan-based Zhongli North America, Inc. (www.zlcglobal.com) is announced by Kenneth Rohan, vice president of operations for Zhongli North America, Inc. a leading global provider of vehicle parts and components and assembly parts including engine mounts, chassis shock absorbers, chassis modules and interior/exterior plastic parts.

Mr. Rohan explains, "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."

About Zhongli Corporation

Zhongli Corporation as founded in Shanghai, China in 1998 to provide R&D, design, manufacturing and sales, focused on vehicle parts and components and assembly parts. Zhongli has manufacturing and technical sites in China, Italy, South America and the United States. Products include; powertrain mounts, chassis components, suspension assemblies, plastic parts, bumping blocks and other rubber bumper components. Zhongli has ISO 9001:2008, ISO/TSI6946 and ISO14001 certifications. www.zlcglobal.com

About Stern Rubber Company

Stern Rubber Company was founded in 1969 as a manufacturer of injection, compression and transfer molded products, as well as extruded rubber products, and specializes in bonding rubber to metal, plastic, and other materials. Stern has manufacturing facilities in Staples and Aitkin, Minnesota. Industries served are widely diversified and include; municipal water gate valves, chemical valves, power sports, watchbands, agricultural, industrial plumbing, and many others. Stern Rubber Company is ISO 9001:2008 certified. www.sternrubber.com

SOURCE Zhongli North America, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.zlcglobal.com