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Rubber World magazine turns 125
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: April 1, 2014
Surviving in the publishing business for 125 years is impressive particularly with the recent demise of so many print publications, but Akron-based Rubber World magazine has managed to keep its operation alive and well since 1889. In those days it was called India Rubber World and Electrical Trade Review.
Since then it has changed names and owners, with current management having been in charge since 1983.
“My father Job and his partner, Jack Peto, bought the magazine from Bill Communications in New York,” said Chip Lippincott, president and publisher of Rubber World magazine. “At the time it was operating out of Akron and they chose to keep the magazine here.”
Lippincott has been an Akron resident since 1972 when his family moved from New Jersey to Ohio after his father began working for Rubber World. “My dad bought Jack Peto out over 20 years ago, and ran it until he retired in 2012.”
The magazine acquired its current name in 1954 when Akron was considered the “Rubber Capital of the World.” Although it is currently known for the polymer industry, Lippincott said the American Chemical Society’s rubber division is still based in the city, ensuring Akron’s continued ties to the industry.
The magazine remains a technical journal and is made up of articles written by chemists and scientists on topics ranging from innovative developments in the rubber and related industries to new research.
“We do not pay people to write articles,” said Jill Rohrer, Rubber World’s editor. “Generally the chemists and scientists are very happy to have us publish their articles,” she said. “The American Chemical Society’s rubber division is a good source for content and we also solicit information from various companies.”
In addition Rohrer said a number of the magazine’s authors have been connected to The University of Akron.
The magazine is published monthly and has a distribution that spans 90 countries. It is a subscription-only publication but Rubber World’s website, which launched in 1994, includes a free digital edition of the magazine. The company also publishes two annual directories—the Blue Book: Materials, Compounding Ingredients and Services for Rubber and the Rubber Red Book, which serves as a buyer’s guide listing rubber product manufacturers and suppliers to the rubber industry.
Seven years ago the owners purchased Initial Publications, acquiring three other magazines: Wire & Cable Technology International, a bimonthly international technical magazine for manufacturers, processors and distributors and users of all types of electrical, communication and mechanical wire and cable; Fastener Technology International, a bimonthly international technical magazine for manufacturers, distributors and users of fasteners; and Wire Forming Technology International, a quarterly publication covering the manufacture of springs, wire formed parts, wire mesh and rebar products, and the materials, tooling, machinery and control systems for making those parts. All three operate out of the Akron office.
Rubber World employs nine people, the majority of whom have been around for at least 14 years. In addition to Rohrer, Patrick DiMauro serves as technical editor.
Rohrer received her bachelor’s degree in mass media/communications from The University of Akron. The lifelong Akron resident began her journalism career locally at Bill Communications. She started at Rubber World in 1985, taking the reins as editor in December 2012. She is the first woman to hold the title at the magazine, and while Rohrer does not have a background in chemistry or engineering, she said over the years she has managed to develop the necessary familiarity with the subject matter.
“There is a lot of proofreading involved in producing Rubber World each month,” said Rohrer. “Each issue highlights a different topic within the rubber industry. We have one that is devoted to chemicals and materials, another to machinery and equipment, and so on. We devote one page each month to market news. We cover business and personnel news, as well as new products being introduced to the industry.
“We also publish features on technical service and medical/silicone, and recently started covering oil, gas and energy. We are very well established so we will not change our core content but we will add to it.”
About a year ago Rubber World moved from its longtime location on West Market Street to 1741 Akron-Peninsula Rd.
The formal 125th anniversary celebration takes place in October and coincides with the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society’s International Elastomer Conference in Nashville, which runs from October 14 to 16.
Lippincott said he is open to new opportunities for expansion. “As was the case with Initial Publications, it has to be the right fit and one that complements our existing business.
“Our main goal is to keep going for the next 125 years and to continue providing news, technology and coverage of the events that shape the industry to our worldwide audience.”