Vipal Rubber Corp. is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023, and Chairman Arlindo Paludo says a founding principle of 'staying close to our customers' remains a cornerstone.
Paludo's father Vicencio Paludo started the company in 1973, after initially finding the spark and opportunity for the business in a gas station in 1960.
Paludo says, "We were born with the goal of staying close to our customers and partners, providing companies the best solutions to drive savings and high performance through tire retreading. Our growth stems from a relentless pursuit of continuous innovation, genuine teamwork, and unwavering determination."
In 1992, Vipal established a unit in the United States, the world's largest tire retread market. The initial operations began in Miami, with an office and a distribution center primarily serving Central America. By 2019, Vipal openeda U.S. factory in Madison, Tenn., with a production capacity of 650 tons per month. The plant serves the U.S., as well as the Canadian and Mexican markets.
Vipal also operates two distribution centers in the U.S., in Miami, Fla. and Norfolk, Va. Those locations also serve Canada and the Caribbean.
In addition to the U.S. locations, the company operates five factories in Brazil, plus another one more in Argentina, which opened in 2020. Combined, the facilities have an installed capacity of more than 20,000 tons per month and span more than 2.5 million square feet.
Vipal has a vast network of retreaders in Latin America with more than 250 companies. The company has 15 distribution centers and a presence in more than 90 countries around the world.
Paludo says the company's history and legacy will help it advance into the future. "The company's history is timeless, marking a triumphant journey that overcame obstacles and positions us as a benchmark in the global market today. Our success stems from our relentless team of employees, committed to delivering the best to our clientele. They are the cornerstone of this journey, for it is in their service that we labor daily."
