Our history began over a century ago when Philip E. Young started Acushnet Process Company along with two of his college friends.
1914 – Skipper Young develops process to reuse unvulcanized rubber waste and scraps. Soon all rubber companies in Akron, Ohio are sending their rubber scraps to Acushnet and buying the processed materials back.
W.W.I Armistice – Acushnet Process becomes largest source of reclaimed uncured rubber in the business.
1921 – Rubber prices drop from $3.05 per pound to $.03 per pound due to farming of rubber trees and improved technologies.
1922-25 – Skipper and engineering staff develop new ways to use molded rubber: Toys, teddy bears, boats, hot water bottles, enema bags, bathing shoes and caps.
1929 – After a really bad day of golf, Skipper Young x-rays golf balls to see if core is really centered. X-rays show most ball cores way off center. Skipper decides he can make a better golf ball.
1930 – Skipper invents patented cross-winding machine which uniformly winds rubber string around a core. Titleist golf ball is born.
Gas Masks and the Winds of War 1935 – Skipper is determined to improve gas masks used by troops in Europe. In 30 days, he designs and produces a mold and wins government contract. Meanwhile, Skipper’s two-headed golf ball driving machine is wowing golf crowd by demonstrating the benefits of the dead centered Titleist golf balls.
1938 – Acushnet Process becomes sole source for U.S. and Allied Forces for molded gas masks. Pratt and Whitney, among others, turn to Acushnet Process for o-rings. Acushnet Process and Harvard Medical School develops oxygen control system and masks for pilots. Acushnet Process’s A-10 oxygen mask only one used by Allies. Golf ball business shuts down…replaced by torpedo gaskets, o-rings, oxygen mask components. Acushnet Process Company awarded unprecedented 5 Army/Navy E Awards.
1945 – Peace…and panic. Acushnet goes back to bathing caps, shoes, toys, hot water bottles, etc. Soon rubber sources are released and golf balls are back in production.
1964 – Acushnet Process Company is renamed Acushnet Company, Inc.
1977 – Acushnet Company becomes and operating unit of American Brands (which later become Fortune Brands)
1994 – Acushnet Rubber Company, Inc. (ARC) is born as golf division remains with Fortune Brands and ARC becomes a private company
2001 – Non core product lines and plant are shed to focus on o-ring and custom sealing businesses.
2003 – New Strategic Business Unit (SBU) structure is created to better focus people and assets on specific customer segments. Those segments are OEM (automotive) OAM (aerospace) and B&C (Brake and Clutch).
2007 – Urethane (Ecast) SBU added to the mix. The focus of this SBU is energy development.
2008 – David Slutz named President and CEO
2009 – Plant Consolidation is complete putting both New Bedford locations into 744 Belleville Ave (305,000 square feet)
2010 – 2011 – Substantial capital improvement plan put in motion to add capacity and modernize the production process.
1964 – Acushnet Process Company is renamed Acushnet Company, Inc.
1977 – Acushnet Company becomes and operating unit of American Brands (which later become Fortune Brands)
1994 – Acushnet Rubber Company, Inc. (ARC) is born as golf division remains with Fortune Brands and ARC becomes a private company
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Worldwide HQ
744 Belleville Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02745
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