Updated 4-11-07

This site maintained and designed by Bruce Corson, Preferred Rubber.

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Historical Summary

 The first official meeting of The Wisconsin Rubber Group was held on March 31, 1976. In the year 2001 The Wisconsin Rubber Group celebrates its 25th anniversary. The Group was formed by people who saw the need for a local source of information for those who work in the Rubber Industry in the Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin areas. Many of the people instrumental in forming he Group, and many other Charter Members, are still active with The Wisconsin Rubber Group. The first Presidents of The Wisconsin Rubber Group, Robert L. Sullivan, Russell Halkerson, George O. Pahios and Arthur Moline were all directly involved in the formation of The Group.

 To quote from the by-laws of The Wisconsin Rubber Group:

The object of the Group shall be to provide a place and a means for open discussion of technical problems of general interest associated with Rubber and related industries, to encourage additional educational opportunities among persons engaged in or interested in the Rubber Industry, and to provide an opportunity for further development of friendly mutual interests among members.

In an effort to support the object of the Group there have been many different approaches taken. Since the inception of The Group there have been Technical meetings held three times per year where experts in the Rubber Industry have presented new ideas to help solve problems. These meetings have been held at various locations. Among these are:

 Ramada Inn - Milwaukee (Airport Location)
Midway Hotel - Milwaukee (Airport Location)

 Another approach to educating people for Rubber Industry jobs has been the Rubber Technology courses The Wisconsin Rubber Group has offered, or sponsored, over the years. These courses have been very popular and well attended for all the years they have been offered. These classes have been offered in conjunction with the Milwaukee School of Engineering and The Chicago Rubber Group. These classes have also been at various locations. Among these locations are:

 Milwaukee School of Engineering
Stevenson High School, Gurnee, IL
Holiday Inn, Gurnee, IL
Holiday Inn, Itasca, IL
Holiday Inn, Rolling Meadows, IL

These efforts and the association with the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, which came soon after The Group was formed, have helped maintain a high standard of excellence for The Group.

The Wisconsin Rubber Group has also tried to promote a friendly atmosphere among its members. To help that along there are social hours at all of the Technical meetings where members can get to know one another on a personal level. The Group also sponsors two social events each year. These events are the Annual Golf Outing and the Winterfest. The Golf Outing was started the same year the first meeting was held, 1976. The first Winterfest began two years later. The locations where these events were held are:

Golf Outing Winterfest Playboy Club Lake Geneva, WI Playboy Club Lake Geneva, WI Hilmoor Country Club Lake Geneva, WI The Abbey, Fontana, WI Olympia Resort Oconomowoc, WI Hilton Inn, Lake Geneva, WI Americana, Lake Geneva, WI Marc Plaza, Milwaukee, WI Bristol Oaks Country Club Salem, WI Sheraton Hotel, Racine, WI   Hyatt Regency, Milwaukee, WI   Marriott, Brookfield, WI   Lake Lawn Lodge Delevan, WI   Marriott, Racine, WI

Membership in The Wisconsin Rubber Group has been open to anyone who has an interest in the Rubber Industry. Manufacturers of Rubber products and Suppliers to these manufacturers have always made up the majority of The Group. Users of rubber products have also been able to join the Group.

 by the late Dennis N. Jasinski
former WRG Historian