With a firm foundation built on innovation, customer-first relationships and sustainability, Teknor Apex today operates multiple manufacturing sites around the globe while maintaining the agile, family-driven ethos of its early days.
Since its founding in 1924 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the privately-held Teknor Apex Company has evolved from a regional tire and retread business into a world-class custom compounder serving industries across North America, Europe and Asia.
In 1924, Alfred Fain founded what was then the Apex Tire Company – a small tire-store and retread business in Rhode Island.
During the 1940s, with rubber supply constrained by wartime demands, the company moved into rebuilding naval-aircraft tires and other allied efforts, developing internal capabilities in polymer processing.
In the 1950s, as rigid vinyl (PVC) entered the market, Apex developed one of the first lines of vinyl garden hoses – signalling its transition into plastics.
As the plastics market matured, Apex’s focus shifted from physical tires/hose retail toward polymer compounding and extrusions. Read more in an article here: Supply Chain World magazine
In 1966 the company rebranded as Teknor Apex Company to reflect its broader materials and polymer focus.
Over subsequent decades the company built capabilities across vinyl compounds, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), engineering thermoplastics, and color-masterbatch technologies.
Starting in the early 2000s, Teknor Apex expanded internationally: based in the U.S., with manufacturing and sales operations in Belgium, Singapore, China, Germany and more.
The company developed and commercialised new materials, including sustainable vinyl-based solutions (e.g., BioVinyl®) and advanced TPEs.
Teknor Apex also integrated advanced supply-chain systems and global ERP solutions to support its multi-site operations. Read how in this article: Supply Chain World magazine
Today, Teknor Apex emphasises custom-formulated polymer solutions: vinyl compounds, engineering thermoplastics, TPEs, colorants and speciality esters. View all of our product offering here: Our Products.
Sustainability is at the core: the company pursues bio-based compounds, recyclable TPEs, and lifecycle awareness in materials. View our entire sustainable materials here: Sustainable Products
The firm continues to operate as a privately-held organisation, maintaining a strong customer relationship culture while serving global markets from its headquarters in Rhode Island.
Headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, U.S.A.
Manufacturing, sales and technical operations span North America, Europe (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands) and Asia (China, Singapore) — making Teknor Apex a truly global compounder. View where we are at and ISO certifications each site has proving our highly ethic and sustainable practices here: Our Locations
This geographic diversity enables Teknor Apex to serve regional markets locally while leveraging global scale and expertise.
Teknor Apex serves high-demand industries: automotive/transportation, electrical & electronics, consumer goods, industrial applications, medical devices and packaging. See all of the industries we serve here: Industries
Its custom-compound portfolio (vinyls, TPEs, engineering thermoplastics, color masterbatches) positions it as a strategic materials partner for OEMs and processors alike.
The longevity and private-ownership status underscore stability, long-term orientation and emphasis on customer relationships and innovation.
Teknor Apex emphasises people first: the company states that its employees are its greatest assets, and fosters a culture of innovation, training and diversity. Visit our careers site here to see more stories: teknorapexcareers.com
Community engagement is embedded: through volunteer programmes, environmental / sustainability initiatives and local outreach, the company reflects its corporate values across its locations.
Collaboration is emphasised: from working with customers to tailor materials, to integrating supply-chain and global ERP systems, Teknor Apex’s approach is partnership-oriented.
Looking ahead, Teknor Apex is committed to continuing the transition to more sustainable materials: bio-based compounds, recyclable formulations, and lifecycle-aware product design. View how we are approaching sustainability here: Our Sustainability Journey
Global manufacturing excellence, digitalisation of its supply chain, and closer integration with customers’ innovation cycles will remain strategic priorities.
With nearly a century of polymer-compounding experience, Teknor Apex is positioned to take part in emerging materials trends: lightweighting for transport, circular economy plastics, performance materials for energy/medical sectors, and more. View case studies and other resources to support our partners in materials trends here: Resources
