Thermoprene

What Thermoprene does

Thermoprene is a privately held custom extrusion and molding manufacturer founded in 1997 and headquartered in Garfield Heights, Ohio, within the region's 'Polymer Valley' industrial cluster. The company produces custom plastic, rubber, and aluminum extrusions, supported by in-house secondary fabrication (die cutting, CNC machining, welding, water jet cutting), molding (compression and injection, including overmolding), and finishing (anodizing, powder coating, painting, polishing). Its technical differentiators include multi-material co-extrusion/dual durometer dies, vacuum calibration, and precision tolerance work across a broad material portfolio (ABS, PVC, HDPE, UHMW, polypropylene, polyurethane, nylon, PTFE, polycarbonate, EPDM, neoprene, silicone, Viton, nitrile, SBR, natural rubber, polyisoprene, and 6000-series aluminum). In January 2024 the company added in-house plastic and metal 3D printing services.

The company sells primarily through a direct B2B quote-based motion: prospective customers submit drawings (PDF/DXF/DWG) and specifications for engineered custom projects, with pricing structured per project rather than via published rates. Revenue streams include project-based custom extrusion manufacturing, stock products (T-Slot Plastic Quad Rails, Z-Style Oil Boom Connectors, Containment Boom Connector Kits), and retail sales of Containment Boom Connector Kits on Amazon. It serves industrial OEM customers across automotive, HVAC, oil & gas, environmental protection, medical, robotics, construction, and textiles. End markets include notable applications such as automotive interior lamination equipment, commercial air conditioner thermal breaks, oil spill response connectors, precision aerospace components, and ROV competition frames.

Thermoprene is bootstrapped (no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or external investors) and operates with 11-50 employees under a leadership team of CEO Craig McConnell, President Gary Bowling, General Manager Dan Dingers, and Sales lead Jennifer Perry. The company's competitive positioning rests on integrated single-facility capabilities, broad material versatility, and 25+ years of process know-how rather than on proprietary software, patents, or network effects. Strategic activity in 2023-2024 has centered on channel diversification (Amazon) and service-line extension (3D printing and new stock SKUs).

Name

Thermoprene

Legal name

Thermoprene

Website

https://thermoprene.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thermoprene, founded in 1997 in Garfield Heights, Ohio, is a custom manufacturer of plastic, rubber, and aluminum extrusions. It serves B2B industrial clients across automotive, HVAC, oil & gas, medical, robotics, and construction sectors via project-based manufacturing, fabrication, and finishing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Plastic, Rubber & Aluminum Extrusion Manufacturing

NAICS

Plastics Pipe, Pipe Fitting, and Unlaminated Profile Shape Manufacturing (32612), Plastics Packaging Materials and Unlaminated Film and Sheet Manufacturing (32611)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089), Fabricated Rubber Products, Nec (3060), Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Thermoforming & Contract Manufacturing (IMANAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Thermoforming Sheet Extrusion (HIPS/PET/PP/ABS Sheets) (IMANACAG)

Keywords

• Custom extrusion manufacturing
• Plastic extrusions
• Rubber extrusions
• Aluminum extrusions
• Industrial fabrication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chagrin Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Extrusion Manufacturing: Project-based custom manufacturing of plastic, rubber, and aluminum extrusions based on customer specifications. Revenue generated through tooling development and per-unit production pricing. Customers provide drawings in .pdf, .dxf, or .dwg formats for quotation.
2. Stock Products: Sale of in-stock specialty extrusion profiles (T-Slot Plastic Quad Rails in various lengths/colors) and Containment Boom Connector Kits available for immediate shipping.
3. Amazon Marketplace Sales: Retail sales of Containment Boom Connector Kits through Amazon marketplace for single and double kit configurations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Thermoprene is a custom manufacturer of plastic, rubber, and aluminum extrusions serving industrial and commercial OEMs. The company produces custom extrusion profiles to customer specifications, complemented by in-house secondary fabrication (CNC machining, welding, cutting, drilling), molding, finishing (anodizing, powder coating, painting), and additive manufacturing (3D printing) services. It also supplies stock specialty profiles and ASTM-spec containment boom connectors for environmental spill response.

Product overview

Thermoprene is a custom extrusion and molding manufacturer established in 1997, specializing in custom plastic, rubber, and aluminum extrusions. The company's core product portfolio includes three main extrusion categories (Aluminum, Plastic, and Rubber Extrusions) complemented by Fabrication, Molding, and 3D Printing services. They also maintain a Specialty Extrusion Stock line featuring T-Slot Plastic Quad Rails, and stock environmental products including Oil Boom Connectors and Containment Boom Connector Kits. The products work together as a full-service custom manufacturing solution, where extrusions serve as the primary products with fabrication and molding providing secondary operations to produce finished components. Recent additions include 3D Printing services (2024) for additive manufacturing and expanded Amazon distribution for containment products (2023).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aluminum Extrusions Custom aluminum extrusion profiles using 6000 series alloys and specialty 2000/7000 series (solid only). Includes thin wall hollows, tubing, angles, channels, and heavy shapes with finishing options such as brushing, polishing, anodizing, powder coating, and painting. Targeted at OEM manufacturers needing custom metal profiles.
• Plastic Extrusions Custom plastic extrusion profiles in ABS, PVC, HDPE, UHMW, polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, nylon, PETG, TPR/TPE/TPV, acrylic, PTFE, and polycarbonate. Capabilities include dual durometer, vacuum calibration, and custom colors. Targeted at OEMs in automotive, electronics, construction, and consumer goods.
• Rubber Extrusions Custom rubber extrusions in EPDM, Neoprene, Silicone, SBR, Viton, Nitrile, Natural Rubber, and Polyisoprene. Includes dense and sponge compounds, custom compounding, splicing, vulcanizing, corner molding, and dual durometer profiles. Targeted at manufacturers needing gaskets, seals, edge protection, and weather-resistant profiles.
• Fabrication Services Secondary fabrication operations on extruded profiles, including die cutting, slitting, adhesive application, splicing, corner molding, notching, punching, drilling, tapping, CNC machining, welding, forming/bending, precision cutting, deburring, water jet cutting, and lamination. Targeted at customers needing finished components beyond raw extruded profiles.
• Molding Services Compression and injection molding services for rubber and plastic components, including molded rubber bumpers, custom molded parts, and overmolding with metal features. Targeted at customers needing molded parts or hybrid metal-overmolded assemblies.
• 3D Printing Services Additive manufacturing service offering plastic and metal 3D printing for fit-and-function prototypes and production-quality runs. Materials include PA12, PA11, polypropylene, TPU, full-color PA12, and 174PH stainless steel. Targeted at automotive, consumer goods, medical, and robotics customers.
• Specialty Extrusion Stock Products In-stock specialty extrusion profiles for immediate shipping, including Window Grade Rigid PVC T-Slot Plastic Quad Rails in 1.5" x 1.5" size, white or dark grey, in lengths of 24", 36", 48", 60" and quantity packs of 1, 2, or 4. Targeted at engineering and prototyping buyers needing quick-ship standard profiles.
• Bulk Oil Boom Connectors Z-Style oil boom connectors extruded from 6061-T6 aluminum alloy to ASTM 962 specifications, available in 18", 24", or 36" lengths with spring pin holes per ASTM standard. Sold in bulk to oil spill response contractors and integrators.
• Containment Boom Connector Kits Containment boom connector kits extruded from 6061-T6 aluminum to ASTM F2438-04 specifications. Available as single or double kits with 24" connectors, backer plates, toggle pins, and stainless steel hardware. Targeted at marine operators, oil & gas firms, and government environmental agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Custom aluminum extrusion burner bodies last twice as long as previous two-part construction while costing less per unit
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Oostburg High School ROV TeamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2023Thermoprene partnered with Oostburg High School's ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Team to support their STEM robotics competition efforts. Provided custom-made 1.5" x 1.5" plastic quad rail frames for the team's ROV, covering all manufacturing and shipping costs. The team advanced to international competition in Longmont, CO (June 22-24) and one team member received the Engineering MVP Award out of over 60 teams. Partnership aimed at inspiring students and educational institutions to explore STEM opportunities.
• AmazoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 May 2023Thermoprene expanded distribution by making Containment Boom Connector Kits available on Amazon marketplace, reaching global customers in marine, oil & gas, and government environmental protection sectors. Products available include Single and Double kit configurations meeting ASTM F2438-04 specifications, with 24" connectors, backer plates, toggle pins, and stainless steel hardware.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vitex Extrusion: A U.S.-based custom plastic and polymer extrusion manufacturer serving industrial, medical, and consumer markets. Highly comparable to Thermoprene in multi-material custom extrusion with secondary fabrication, competing directly for similar mid-market B2B accounts.
• Nylacast (and other custom polymer extruders): Custom polymer extrusion manufacturers offering engineering-grade plastic profiles similar to Thermoprene's plastic extrusion line (UHMW, nylon, HDPE, etc.). Compete for similar industrial OEM customers requiring low-to-medium volume custom profiles.
• Laurence David Custom Extrusions: A custom plastic extrusion manufacturer offering profile extrusion, tubing, and coextrusion. Highly comparable in service model, material range, and target customer (OEM manufacturers needing custom polymer profiles).
• Molded Rubber & Rubber Extrusion Companies (e.g., Redwood Rubber): Custom rubber extrusion and molded rubber parts manufacturers serving industrial, automotive, and OEM customers. Directly comparable to Thermoprene's rubber extrusion line, including EPDM, Neoprene, and Silicone capabilities.

Emerging players

• Protolabs (3D Printing / Custom Manufacturing): An on-demand digital manufacturer offering CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal, and 3D printing services. Comparable to Thermoprene's 3D printing and custom manufacturing expansion, but operating as a software-driven scale platform.
• Protocase: A custom manufacturer offering rapid prototyping and low-volume production of custom enclosures, parts, and sheet metal. Comparable in target market (engineers and OEMs needing custom low-volume parts) but adjacent in primary process (sheet metal vs. extrusion).
• Xometry: A digital marketplace for on-demand custom manufacturing including CNC, 3D printing, injection molding, and — increasingly — extrusion. Competes with Thermoprene for digital-native B2B customers wanting quote-based custom manufacturing.

Regional players

• Hulsey Heat Sink & Extrusion: A custom aluminum extrusion and heat sink manufacturer focused on HVAC and electronics cooling applications. Comparable to Thermoprene in extrusion material and select end-market overlap, but with a more narrow heat-sink specialization.

Broad incumbents

• Emka Profiles: A large global manufacturer of plastic and rubber extrusions, edge protection, gaskets, and sealing systems for enclosures, cabinets, and industrial equipment. Comparable in rubber and plastic extrusion portfolio, but with global scale and a catalog/standardized offering alongside custom work.
• Extruded Aluminum Profiles (e.g., Sapa / Hydro Extrusion): Hydro Extrusion (formerly Sapa) is one of the largest aluminum extrusion producers globally, offering a broad portfolio of standard and custom aluminum profiles. Comparable to Thermoprene in aluminum extrusion materials and capabilities, but vastly larger scale and globally distributed.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Thermoprene-272886749421843
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thermoprene

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thermoprene