A Brueggeman Family Business

Ray and I were talking about Elmer Brueggeman this week and he mentioned that he owned a rubber company.  I googled it and found the company's web site with this article about its history.

It continues to be run by Elmer's son-in-law  (Gene Fiocca) and two of his grandsons.

A True "Family" Success Story Rubber Associates was started in 1953 by 5 former executives of Seiberling Latex Inc. These five associates founded Rubber Associates by molding high precision industrial rubber diaphragms and seals. By 1960, spin-offs and attrition left chief chemist Elmer Brueggeman as majority owner who in 1964 moved the plant to its present location in Barberton, Ohio. Elmer’s son-in-law, Gene Fiocca joined Rubber Associates Inc. in 1974. As President,  Fiocca expanded the company’s based into the pharmaceutical and baby bottle nipple markets as well as achieving top quality status with the OEM automotive industry. Gene purchased controlling interest in the company in 1975 as well as the real estate. The growth pattern continued though 4 major expansions of the manufacturing plant adding injection molding capacity to its full service compliment in the custom molded field. In 1987, the third generation of the Brueggeman/Fiocca family joined the company.  Gene’s older son Kris Fiocca started as Office Manager responsible for administration and cost analysis.  He was named Executive VP in 2001 and now heads up the engineering and design staff. Through the last 50 years, Rubber Associates Inc. has continued to grow and now proudly employees over 100 people which support top quality manufacturing practices for all of our 300+ customer base. Younger brother, Kip Fiocca has been with Rubber Associates Inc. since 1990.  His primary responsibilities include Human Resources and plant equipment purchases.  All four men are graduates of the University of Akron.

Elmer Brueggeman Founder Gene Fiocca, CEO Kris Fiocca, President Kip Fiocca, Vice President