Tagged: Carl Hoglund

Donald Alstadt, inventor of the Chemlok® Rubber-to-Metal Adhesive System, has been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame as part of its 2026 class. Alstadt, a chemist at LORD Corporation (now Parker Lord), patented this solvent-borne adhesive technology in 1956. His former schoolmate, RDAbbott’s Carl Hoglund, helped commercialize Chemlok.

Our company was founded on December 14, 1948, by Robert David Abbott, a Southern California entrepreneur with a passion for education and the local rubber industry. RDAbbott has evolved from a regional distributor into a multi-faceted supplier that innovates across distribution, materials science, process engineering, and product customization. In honor of our 75th anniversary, we’ve prepared a special video that encapsulates pivotal milestones in our company’s history and distinguishing hallmarks of our corporate culture.

RDAbbott is celebrating its 75th anniversary and launching a year-long campaign called 75 Acts of Kindness that will give back to its communities, industries, and employees. The company was founded on December 14, 1948, by Robert David Abbott, a Southern California entrepreneur with a passion for education and the local rubber industry. RDAbbott has evolved from a regional distributor into a multi-faceted supplier that innovates across distribution, materials science, process engineering, and product customization. Yet it remains true to its roots of putting people ahead of profit.

Three more RDAbbott leaders have been nominated for an Honorary Lifetime Membership in The Los Angeles Rubber Group, Inc. (TLARGI). The nominees are Keith Thomas, RDAbbott’s CEO; Rick Ziebell, Vice President of Technology and Technical Fellow; and Russ Shorter, Senior Account Manager. TLARGI announced the nominations at its annual Christmas Party, on December 3, 2023.