Empire Rubber & Supply Co.

What Empire Rubber & Supply Co. does

Empire Rubber & Supply Co. is a privately held, family-owned industrial distributor founded in 1951 in Portland, Oregon, currently under second-generation ownership. The company distributes conveyor belts, conveyor components (pulleys, idlers, belt scrapers, lagging), power transmission components (belts, sheaves, sprockets, gearboxes, bearings), sheet rubber and gasket materials, plastic sheet and machined parts, and molded and extruded goods. It serves customers across 10+ industrial verticals including Aggregate/Mining, Food Processing, Lumber and Wood, Agriculture, Pulp/Paper/Corrugated, Baking/Confection, Grain/Feed/Fertilizer, Graphic Industries, Recycling, and Package Handling, with operations extending across 8 western states including Alaska and Hawaii.

The company's core technical differentiator is the patented UNIWELD cleating process — a proprietary heat-and-pressure method for fusing PVC cleats, V-guides, and vanner edges to conveyor belt surfaces that eliminates belt curl and distortion while maximizing bond strength. It complements this with BeltMaster slitting capability (up to 72" wide x 1200'+ long), dual-axle trailer-mounted rewind systems, and 30+ mobile vulcanization presses operated by Fenner-certified technicians providing 24-hour on-site installation and emergency service across the western United States.

Empire Rubber generates revenue through a combination of hardware distribution (representing major manufacturers including Fenner Dunlop, Goodyear/Veyance, Flexco, Precision Pulley & Idler, Habasit, Chiorino, Gates, and Chemoprene) and professional services (custom fabrication, mobile installation, vulcanization, splicing, UNIWELD cleating). Pricing is quote-based and project-driven, with multi-year contracts serving enterprise industrial customers. The company operates two physical facilities — Portland, OR (headquarters) and Pasco, WA (regional) — and employs 11-50 people. No revenue is publicly disclosed.

Name

Empire Rubber & Supply Co.

Legal name

Empire Rubber & Supply Co.

Website

https://empirerubber.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Empire Rubber & Supply Co., founded in 1951 and headquartered in Portland, OR, is the largest independent distributor of conveyor belts and related industrial products in the Pacific Northwest, serving 10+ verticals including mining, food processing, and lumber across 8 western states with patented UNIWELD cleating, custom fabrication, and 30+ mobile vulcanization crews.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Conveyor Belting Distribution & Installation Services

NAICS

Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing (333922), Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (333613)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Gaskets, Packg & Sealg Devices & Rubber & Plastics Hose (3050), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Belting (Conveyor, Power Transmission) (IMANALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bulk Material Handling Systems (Belt Conveyors, Feeders, Stackers, Reclaimers) (IMAHABAH), Bulk Handling & Conveying for Processing Lines (Augers, Elevators, Conveyors) (AFAAAJAJ), Loading/Unloading & Transfer Equipment (Telescopic Conveyors, Loaders, Tipplers) (IMAHABAI)

Keywords

• Conveyor belt distribution
• Industrial rubber products
• Vulcanization services
• Conveyor components supply
• Power transmission products

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Conveyor Belt Distribution: Distribution of conveyor belt products including heavy weight black rubber belt, lightweight PVC belt, food grade RMV and nitrile belt, rough top and meat cleat incline belt, and integrally molded cleated rubber belt. Revenue generated through product sales to industrial customers.
2. Industrial Components Distribution: Distribution of conveyor components (pulleys, idlers, bushings, belt scrapers, lagging), power transmission components (belts, sheaves, sprockets, chain, gearboxes, bearings), electrical components, plastic sheet and machined parts, and molded/extruded goods.
3. Installation and Vulcanization Services: On-site installation and vulcanization services including splicing, lining, lagging for chutes, hoppers, drums, and rollers. 24-hour on-site installation available. Revenue generated through service fees for skilled field installation work.
4. Custom Fabrication Services: In-house services including cutting, slitting, splice preparation, fastener installation, rubber chute fabrication, gasket punching, and belt punching for fasteners, elevator buckets, chain attachments, and vacuum/dewatering applications. Rewind services for old conveyor belt.
5. UNIWELD Cleating Process: Patented cleating process for fusing PVC cleats and V-guides to conveyor belt surfaces. Offers multiple configurations including T cleats, I cleats, scoop cleats, v-guides in various patterns. Specialty service for Thermodrive and Volta belting with cleats and sidewalls.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Empire Rubber & Supply Co. distributes industrial conveyor belts and related components (pulleys, idlers, fasteners, power transmission parts, sheet rubber, gaskets, plastics) and provides on-site installation, vulcanization, splicing, slitting, and rewind services across the Pacific Northwest and 8 western U.S. states. The company also offers its patented UNIWELD cleating process for fusing PVC cleats and V-guides to conveyor belts.

Product overview

Empire Rubber & Supply Co. is a distributor of industrial conveyor belt and related products, not a unified software platform. The company operates a portfolio of complementary product lines: conveyor belting (heavyweight rubber/PVC, lightweight, FDA food-grade, cleated/flighted incline, and profile top belts); fasteners and conveyor components (Flexco fasteners, Precision Pulleys and Idlers); power transmission components (Gates, Bando, Bestorq V-belts and power transmission parts); sheet rubber, gasket materials, and UHMW-PE/plastic sheet products; specialty belting including Intralox Thermodrive positive drive belts; and in-house services including their patented UNIWELD cleating process, mobile vulcanization crews (30+ presses), cutting/slitting, belt rewinding, and 24-hour emergency field installation services across the Pacific Northwest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UNIWELD Cleating Process Patented method of fusing cleat, v-guide, and vanner edge to PVC conveyor belt using heat and pressure to maximize bond strength while eliminating belt curl/distortion of the base belt; defines and leads the standard in non-RF PVC cleat fusion.
• Heavyweight Conveyor Belt Heavy-duty conveyor belt including Black PVC, PVGE, Black Rubber (2ply, 3ply, 4ply), Black Rubber Fabric Back MOR (Moderately Oil Resistant), and Black Rubber Straight Warp constructions for heavy-duty industrial applications.
• Lightweight Conveyor Belt Lightweight conveyor belt including Black PVC, Black RMV (2ply, 3ply), Black Rubber (2ply, 3ply), and Black Rubber Belt MOR variants for lighter-duty conveying applications.
• Lightweight FDA Food-Grade Belts Food-grade belts including White Nitrile (2ply, 3ply), White Nitrile Meat Cleat 3ply, White PVC, and White RMV (2ply, 3ply, Z-Top) for food processing applications meeting FDA standards.
• Cleated/Flighted Incline Belts Inclined and flighted conveying belts including Grass Seed Harvester Belts, Combine Header Pickup Belts, PVC Cleated Belt (UNIWELD White FDA or Black), and Rubber Cleated Belt (Integrally Molded White or Black 2ply, 3ply).
• Lightweight Profile Top Belts Profile top conveyor belts including Black and Tan Rubber Roughtop, Black PVC Crescent Top, Black RMV Z-Top, Brown/Blue Carbox Roughtop (carboxylated nitrile), and Tan Rubber Diamond/Wedge Grip for specialized conveying profiles.
• Flexco Fasteners and Belt Conveyor Products Conveyor belt maintenance and repair products including Bolt Hinged, Bolt Plate, Clipper Hooks, Flexco Lacing Machines and Tools, Non-Metallic Lace, ReadySet Alligator, Rivet Hinged, Rivet Plate, Impact Beds, and Belt Cleaners.
• Precision Pulleys and Idlers (PPI) Conveyor system components including Drive/Drum Pulleys, Tail/Wing Pulleys, Troughing and Return Idlers, Joy Limberollers, Rema Diamond Lag, and Holz Slide Lag/Kwik Lag.
• Power Transmission Components Power transmission components including Gates Polychain belts, v-belts, timing belts, sheaves, sprockets, DAIDO roller chain, gearboxes, and bearings for industrial power transmission applications.
• Sheet Rubber and Gasket Materials Sheet rubber and gasket materials including Natural Rubber, Neoprene, Nitrile/Buna, Silicon, SBR, Urethane, EPDM, Butyl, Teflon, Viton, Kevlar, Nomex, and Fiberglass for industrial sealing applications.
• UHMW-PE and Engineering Plastic Sheet Products Full sheets, rod stock, machined and extruded parts in UHMW-PE and other engineering plastics including UHMW, HMW, HDPE Polyethylene, Polycarbonate, Nylon, Teflon PTFE, Acetal, Polypropylene, and PVC.
• Molded and Extruded Rubber Products Molded and extruded rubber products including Skirtboard, Chute Lining, Crownbar/Shaker Screen, Screen Balls, Seals, and Wearstrips for industrial material handling applications.
• Specialty Belting Specialty conveyor belts including Bag Pull Down Belts, CIGO Trailroll Veneer Slicer Belts, CIGO Tube Winder Belts, European Style Belt, Fenner Eagle Belting, Teflon Coated Fiberglass Belt and Tape, and ThermoDrive Positive Drive Belt.
• Thermodrive Positive Drive Belts Solid urethane and Intralox modular plastic positive drive belts that eliminate cleaning nightmares with solid urethane construction; Empire Rubber is the only local provider with capabilities to splice Thermodrive and Volta belting with cleats and sidewalls in-shop or on-site.
• Industrial Lubricants Schaeffer Oil Manufacturing lubricants for industrial applications.
• Mobile Installation and Vulcanization Services Mobile splice crews with 30+ presses and Fenner-certified technicians providing on-site field installation and vulcanization services across 8 western states including Alaska and Hawaii; 24-hour emergency installation available.
• Cutting and Slitting Services Belt slitting services using BeltMaster slitting machines capable of slitting conveyor belt and other materials up to 72 inches wide by 1,200+ feet long.
• Belt Rewind Services Dual axle trailer mounted rewind service capable of rewinding old conveyor belt up to 72 inches wide and 500 feet long; diesel powered and self-sufficient.
• Splice Preparation and Fastener Installation In-house splice preparation, fastener installation, rubber chute fabrication, gasket punching, and belt punching for fasteners, elevator buckets, chain attachments, and vacuum/dewatering applications.
• Lining and Lagging Field Services Field services for chutes, hoppers, drums, and rollers including conveyor belt installation, splicing, lining and lagging services; available 24-hours for emergency situations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Minimizes downtime through professional mobile installation crews that maximize uptime
• +2 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fenner DunlopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey brand represented by Empire Rubber & Supply. Fenner certified training for installation crews. Major supplier of conveyor belting products.
• Goodyear/VeyancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor brand represented in Empire Rubber's product portfolio for conveyor belt and industrial products.
• ChemoprenecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand represented for specialty conveyor belting products including those used in package handling applications.
• Flexible Steel LacingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlexco brand partner for conveyor belt fasteners and tools. Empire Rubber has the largest inventory of Flexco fasteners and tools in the Northwest.
• Precision Pulley & IdlercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey supplier of conveyor components including drive pulleys, wing pulleys, QD bushings, return idlers, trough idlers, and take-up frames. Major inventory item.
• HabasitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor supplier for graphics industry belting including S 10/30 and F-1 transmission belts. Provider of hamid quick melt belting for fast and efficient vulcanizations.
• ChiorinocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey supplier for graphics industry with DG series belting products.
• Maxi-LiftminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of elevator buckets and hardware for grain, feed, and fertilizer applications.
• TapcominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of elevator buckets and hardware for agricultural industry applications.
• IntraloxcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvider of patented Thermodrive positive drive solid urethane belting. Empire Rubber is the only local provider with capabilities to splice Thermodrive and Volta belting with cleats and sidewalls.
• FlexcocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor supplier of conveyor belt fasteners, tools, and belt maintenance products. Empire Rubber has the largest inventory of Flexco fasteners and tools in the Northwest. Products include Readyset Alligator Staple lace, Clipper Unibar, 140 and 190VP Flexco lace.
• GatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of power transmission components including Polychain belts, v-belts, and timing belts.
• Schaeffer Oil ManufacturingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of lubricants for industrial applications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Continental ContiTech: Global manufacturer of conveyor belts, power transmission belts, hoses, and rubber products under the ContiTech brand. Comparable as a major upstream supplier of conveyor belting that Empire Rubber distributes, and a broader incumbent in the same industrial product categories.
• Grainger: Largest broad-line industrial MRO distributor in North America, carrying conveyor belting, power transmission, and material handling components. Comparable as an incumbent that competes for the same industrial customers on catalog conveyor products, though Grainger does not specialize in on-site vulcanization services.
• MSC Industrial Direct: Major US industrial MRO distributor offering metalworking, maintenance, repair, and material handling products including conveyor components. Comparable as a broad incumbent competitor for industrial supply spend, but lacks the regional mobile installation/service specialization that Empire provides.

Direct peers

• Lewis-Goetz: National industrial hose, belting, and accessories distributor serving mining, aggregates, and other heavy industries across the US. Comparable to Empire in the distribution of conveyor belts and related industrial products, but at meaningfully larger national scale.
• Beltservice Corporation: Independent US conveyor belt distributor and fabricator offering a broad range of industrial belting, components, and fabrication services. Closely mirrors Empire Rubber's distribution-plus-services business model with multi-state coverage and a focus on heavy-duty industrial applications.

Others

• Intralox: Manufacturer of modular plastic conveyor belts and the patented Thermodrive positive drive solid urethane belt line. Empire is Intralox's regional distribution and specialty splicing partner; Intralox is comparable as the upstream manufacturer Empire represents and supports.
• Habasit: Global manufacturer of light- and heavyweight conveyor belts, power transmission belts, and timing belts. Supplies Empire Rubber with specialty graphics-industry and food-grade belting, making it an upstream partner in the same product category.
• Precision Pulley & Idler: US manufacturer of conveyor pulleys, idlers, take-up frames, and lagging products. Empire is a core distribution partner for PPI components, making PPI comparable as the upstream OEM of the conveyor components Empire distributes.
• Flexco: Manufacturer of conveyor belt fasteners, lacers, cleaners, and maintenance tools. Empire carries the largest Flexco fastener inventory in the Pacific Northwest, making Flexco a key supplier and adjacent participant in the same conveyor maintenance ecosystem.
• Fenner Dunlop: Global manufacturer of conveyor belting products and Empire's largest brand partner (Fenner-certified crews). Comparable as the upstream manufacturer of the very products Empire distributes, and also competes with Empire when selling direct to large industrial accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Empire Rubber & Supply Co.