News UP&R Continues Its Acquisition Strategy – Buys Gasko Fabricated Products Middlefield, OH - June 25, 2018 - Today, Universal Polymer & Rubber, Ltd. ("UP&R") is pleased to announce its completion of the acquisition of Gasko Fabricated Products of Medina, OH. UP&R is an operating company of The Cypress Companies in Akron, OH. The acquisition is UP&R's fifth overall, and third in the last four years, cementing UP&R's position as one of the largest non-mixing polymer fabricators in the United States. Gasko is a high-volume, die-cutting converter of polymer and hybrid materials for gaskets, seals and diaphragms for power take-off and transmission, engine management and fuel delivery system applications in the automotive, marine, outdoor power equipment and other industrial markets. Nearly all of Gasko's personnel will be retained by UP&R and will continue to work at the Medina, OH facility. The Medina facility will - over time - transition to UP&R's Tallmadge, OH facility thereby gaining synergies, economies, and the sharing of die-cut expertise with other die cut business and equipment that is already operating in Tallmadge. John Zielinski, Universal's Executive Vice President commented, "Customers and prospects have been asking for a wider variety in our converting, and through this acquisition, we will now be able to provide for the market's need." Immediate customer-facing benefits of the combination include: Redundancy & Backup - Both locations - Medina and Tallmadge - have historically specialized in fast turn-around, high-mix, high volume production, making them highly complementary. Longer term production plans call for moving Medina manufacturing into UP&R's Tallmadge location, an IATF-16949 and ISO-9001 certified production facility. A More Robust Product Line for Customers - The Gasko product line, when added to UP&R's already broad product line, will enhance the total basket of goods that UP&R offers to current customers and to the market. Enhanced Capabilities - While UP&R and Gasko have shared a similar historical focus, each excels in its own specific but complementary areas. UP&R looks to offer Gasko customers a wider range of offerings - molded and extruded rubber parts, and die-cut parts, from IATF16949 certified facilities - that will offer vendor consolidation opportunities in this lean manufacturing world. About Gasko Fabricated Products - Medina, OH Gasko has been in operation for over 20 years and is a specialist in die cutting nonmetallic materials. With custom fabrication capabilities, Gasko offers a variety of products and processes that utilize a broad breadth of materials. Gasko capabilities include traveling head presses, kiss-cutting, laminating, die cutting and special packaging processes that protect custom parts in transit. About Universal Polymer & Rubber, Ltd. In operation since 1971, UP&R has continued to reinvent itself in an always changing market. The company produces primarily domestically, yet maintains international partnerships with Asian suppliers. This flexibility enables UP&R to meet customer needs across a wide variety of polymer compounds, designs, specifications, and desired price points. From the decks of aircraft carriers to flatbed trailers across North America, from fire suppression pumps to the automotive OE Supply Chain to water and sewer pipes, UP&R's products can be found almost anywhere. UP&R is certified to both IATF-16949 and ISO-9001 standards at both of its Ohio facilities. www.universalpolymer.com About The Cypress Companies The Cypress Companies is a private investment firm specializing in the industrial sector. Located in Akron, Ohio, it provides management services to six operating companies. For more than 20 years, Cypress has enabled responsible growth in its diverse, autonomous companies by offering the right resources for long-term success. www.cypresscompanies.com Contact: John Zielinski Universal Polymer & Rubber, Ltd. zielinskij@universalpolymer.com 330-256-0986
