Rubber is used in countless everyday products, from automotive tires to latex gloves. Rubber is also important for industrial applications, and manufacturers may produce seals, gaskets and shock-absorbing components. The consumption of natural and synthetic rubber around the world is over 25 million metric tons. Plastics are also widely used in commercial products, such as electronics, furniture, food packaging, and clothing items.
Plastics are also enormously important for B-2-B commerce since other manufactures need plastic containers and parts for their own processes. Automobiles need plastic bumpers and headlights, while beverage companies rely on flexible plastic bottles for cola and juice bottles. In the U.S., these industries employ approximately 730,000 people each year.
The plastic and rubber manufacturing industry enjoy significant stability from year to year. The global production of plastic totals over 300 million metric tons annually. Beneficial factors for plastic manufacturers include the constant demand for plastic products and lower prices for oil and fuel. The demand for thermoplastics has increased by over 4% since the 1990s. People interested in rubber and plastic products ma manufacturers for sale may also decide to invest in the rising world of 3-D printing technologies as a small business for prototyping.
Rubber manufacturing and plastics production require a significant upfront investment of time, capital and personnel. Manufacturers need to use and maintain special industrial equipment used in recycling or production processes. They also have to comply with government regulations for air and water quality. Because of this, successfully running a rubber or plastics business often means having dozens or hundreds of employees and qualified industry professionals.
It may be advantageous to buy a rubber and plastic products manufacturers business instead of starting one from scratch, due to the investment required for heavy machinery purchases. Owners do not have to be experts on every aspect of production, but they do need business management experience and the liquid capital needed to finance operations.