The History of Monmouth Rubber & Plastics Corp.
Monmouth Rubber & Plastics Corp. is a privately held corporation with 100% of the stock owned by John Bonforte Jr. President & COO. The company was established in 1964 as Monmouth Rubber Corp. In 1995 it changed its “doing business as” name to Monmouth Rubber & Plastics Corp.
The company was founded in 1964 by Bonforte Jr’s father, John Bonforte Sr. The final phase of Monmouth Rubber & Plastics Corporation’s family business succession plan was completed January 1, 2010 with John M. Bonforte Jr’s assumption of the roles of president and COO of the sponge rubber and plastic foam manufacturer.
Between 1964 and 1968, the company operated as a fabricator of cellular rubber and plastic materials initially drawing on the background of John M. Bonforte Sr. who started his business career in 1961 with Rubatex Corp., Bedford, VA. John M. Bonforte Sr. held various positions in sales, marketing, and product development at Rubatex® .
“Between 1968 and 1988, the business focus was to develop leading edge technology for cellular cross-linked materials in the areas of both plastic and rubber, and the blend technology of similar and dissimilar rubber and plastic materials. Monmouth, in turn, sold this technology to other companies.”
~ John Bonforte, Sr.
In 1968, Monmouth Rubber made the transition from a fabricator to a basic manufacturer of cellular rubber and plastic materials. Between 1968 and 1988, the business focus was to develop leading edge technology for cellular cross-linked materials in the areas of both plastic and rubber, and the blend technology of similar and dissimilar rubber and plastic materials. Monmouth, in turn, sold this technology to other companies.
In 1974, Monmouth commercialized the world’s first 100% EPDM, low density,closed cell sponge. Proprietary Durafoam technology allowed Monmouth to produce C191XLDS in densities as low as to 2.0 pounds per cubic foot. One outstanding, commercially successful application for this technology was as a sealing gasket for all Chrysler tail lamps. In 1979, Monmouth was successful in having Durafoam C191XLDS introduced at Chrysler as the only approved source under MSAY 527 A, B, & C.
Monmouth also maintained a modest presence in the commercial production and sale of cellular products. As a recognized leader, Monmouth has worked with companies like:
- B.F. Goodrich, Sponge Products Div. – Shelton, CT
- Uniroyal Chemical, Ensolite Div. – Mishawaka, IN
- Plymouth Rubber, Plymouth, MA
- Sentinel Products Corp. – Hyannis, MA
- Chrysler Corp.
