Tagged: Robert David Abbott

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.

Thanks to the generous spirit of our employees and nearby colleagues, RDAbbott’s “75 Acts of Kindness” campaign, a year-long effort to celebrate our company’s 75th Anniversary, is off to an inspiring start!

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.