Sioux Rubber & Urethane Blog

We work with rubber and urethane every day, so we are well-versed in the amazing properties that make it such a useful tool - not just for us, but also for countless other applications within many industries!

With supply chain issues and various delays impacting industries all over the world, companies need all the help they can get to save money and turn a profit in 2022. Whether your specific challenges are labor, supplies, or….anything at all, we’re confident that Sioux Rubber & Urethane brings solutions that can save you both time and money this year.

Those in the commercial die-cutting industry understand how important it is to have a press pad that is resistant to impact and is strong enough to withstand thousands of cuts. Traditional gum rubber press pads work for a time but ultimately wear out relatively quickly. We knew that our proprietary Endurawear urethane could be instrumental in a press-pad solution that would save our customers time and money.

So, you’ve made the decision to save yourself the time, money, and headache that grain facility operators typically suffer at the hand of abrasion by implementing protective solutions from Sioux Rubber & Urethane! But, what next? Keep your grain facility running at peak efficiency by implementing a maintenance routine. These tips will help you to ensure that your Sioux Rubber & Urethane solutions are performing optimally and keeping abrasion at bay. Here’s what we recommend:

If you don’t work in an industry that handles grain, sand, aggregate, or gravel, then you might be surprised to hear just how much damage those small, seemingly harmless particles can cause on expensive machinery. Sand and gravel are the most commonly mined materials in the world, with between 32 and 50 billion tons extracted globally each year. That is a LOT of sand and gravel - and a LOT of abrasion to fight. Abrasion causes damage that not only leads to frustrating downtime but also wreaks havoc on your bottom line. As it tears through your spouts and liners, it’s also tearing through your cash. But what if we told you that the endless cycle of replacing pipes, augurs, screws, housings, and chutes could be a thing of the past?

These cold, dark months provide the perfect opportunity for planning and strategizing for next spring. What’s on your list for repairs or replacements? For industries that move a lot of grain, sand, seed, fertilizer, or other small particles, metal spouts are often on the “replace” list for the coming season. But what if they didn’t have to be? What if there was a way to protect your metal spouts from the abrasion caused by millions of tiny pieces being processed day after day? We created Tuff-Tube to solve exactly that problem.

We have been creating rubber and urethane solutions for common abrasion and impact issues for 60+ years. We’ve served customers in a variety of industries and created solutions for countless applications. At this point, we often say “we’ve seen it all”, and it’s true -- we’ve seen a lot. Even so, we’re still surprised by some of the unique challenges that arise when our customers are met with a head-scratching abrasion, impact, or corrosion issue. Honestly, we love to be challenged! If you think you’ve got an issue that has no potential fix, you’d be surprised how creative we can be with size, durometer (hardness), and other rubber and urethane properties. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to opt for a custom rubber solution for your unique issues.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and we have created many products as a response to the needs of our customers. Abrasiplate is one of our top sellers, and it was designed for those who need a solution for steel-on-steel damage in their operations. Abrasiplate exists to prevent the damage caused when steel meets steel; friction, impact, abrasion, corrosion, and contamination. These issues cause serious and costly damage to your equipment, and repairing or replacing takes time. Instead, protect them with Abrasiplate.

Whether we are ready or not, winter is coming. In many parts of the country, the severe temperatures mixed with ice and snow make for quite harsh working conditions. Winter weather is hard on people, sure-- but it’s also hard on your equipment! For two or more months per year, your gear must withstand the winter elements. Protect your business by guarding your equipment against the damages caused by winter weather with Sioux Rubber & Urethane!

Over the past 60+ years in business, we have grown and learned a lot. Every employee is an essential member of the Sioux Rubber family, and many have been with us for a decade or more! Today, we’re shining the spotlight on an employee that has had an impressive 16-year (and going!) career: Sales Manager Derek DeGroot.