From our beginning in 1971 as a supplier of extruded vinyl welting for the footwear industry, to our current status as a well diversified plastic extruder serving many industries, Barbour Plastics has always welcomed the next challenge. As an innovative plastic extruder we have been able to achieve a leadership position in the marketplace due to three main attributes: superior product quality, competitive pricing, and our ability to respond to our customers’ requirements.
Among the many industries that Barbour Plastics now serves, the Marine industry is by far the largest. For over thirty years we have specialized in manufacturing systems for boat builders that aid in protecting the boat hull from the damage resulting from contact with dock pilings, piers, and moorings. Our extruded marine rub rails and Rub rail systems are manufactured from the highest quality UV resistant PVC material available and designed for years of service in harsh environments, not to mention captains of varying levels of skill. Barbour also manufactures extruded marine products for use in other areas of the boat, as well as dock bumper to protect the boat from the dock.
Barbour Plastics’ knowledge and experience with impact protection extrusions extends to other applications as well – store fixture and appliance protection, wall protection, small motor vehicles just to name a few.
Although Barbour Plastics’ standard line of extruded polymer products is extensive, we welcome the opportunity to solve customer problems by engineering custom solutions.
The Brockton, Massachusetts facility is home to both the original leather manufacturing plant and the larger plastic extrusion operation in a 125,000 sq ft facility. All tooling for Barbour Corporation is manufactured at this facility and has very capable engineering support.
The Atlanta, Georgia facility is a very capable extrusion operation producing a large portion of Barbour Marine products as well as custom plastic profiles for various industries. The 60,000 sq ft facility has been in operation since 2006 and is a key production asset to Barbour Corporation.
Barbour has long been a family company, from a leather welting manufacturer founded by the Barbour family in 1892, to Robert Hynes’ acquisition of the business in 1975, to the Hynes and Pearson family in the 21st century. The company was passed on to Robert’s son, Richard Hynes, and much of the company’s growth toward the later part of the 20th century throughout the 21st century has come in plastic extrusions. Richard Hynes was a transformative CEO for Barbour Corporation, propelling Barbour to the top of American welting manufacturing. In the process, Barbour Welting acquired its last remaining competitors in domestic leather welting, W.L. Johnson in 1991 and L. Farber company in 1997. In 1998, Richard spearheaded the construction of its 127,000 headquarters to better serve the growth of its plastics business.
Today the company is run by Matt Pearson, long time General Manager and Nephew to Richard Hynes, who took over as CEO in early 2024. Matt Pearson is accompanied by his brother Josh Pearson, who runs Barbour Welting, and Michael Casey Sr., President of Barbour Plastics. In late 2024, Matt and Michael Casey oversaw the acquisition of New Hampshire based Keller Plastics, expanding the operation to 30 extrusion lines. Future plans are to further expand the company’s Atlanta operation, and press into new markets to further diversify the Brockton Manufacturer. “ Barbour Corporation excels because of its teamfirst mentality and its relationships with customers and suppliers. Innovation has always been central to the company’s success, from our earliest advancements in footwear components to the diverse custom fabrication solutions we deliver today.” states Matt Pearson.
Barbour Plastics acquires Keller Products custom extrusion facility in Bow, NH that focused on specialty engineered materials servicing the building interiors and window fashion industry. This latest acquisition brings a total of 32 extrusion lines between both facilities.
Barbour Marine is established to expand product focus on additional marine products for boat builders, dock builders, boat lifts and boat trailer markets.
Barbour: On boards TPV & TPE materials for the for window glazing, seals and gasket applications.
Barbour Plastics installs new state of the art wire EDM machine to add capacity to tooling department to keep up with increased tooling demand.
Barbour Plastics acquires Newell Plastics out of Roanoke Virgina that specialized in Foam PVC building products. Equipment and business transferred to Brockton facility.
Barbour Plastics installs dedicated foam line in Atlanta Georgia for Rigid PVC extrusions.
Barbour adds two color pad printing equipment to the Atlanta operation
Barbour Plastics expands and opens second plastic extrusion facility in Atlanta Georgia. This 60,000 SF facility added needed capacity and allowed the company to better service the Southeast.
Barbour Plastics acquires Atlantic Extrusions located in Salem Massachusetts who was the leading custom profile extruder in New England. Barbour gained enhanced extrusion capabilities along with hot stamp foil technology.
Barbour Plastics starts manufacturing in new building. Dedicates resources and new equipment to expand company into other markets to diversify its portfolio of business.
Barbour Corporation breaks ground on a new modern 127,000 SF facility to house both leather and plastics. Building is designed for efficiency and is located just down the street from original location.
Barbour Acquires last US leather manufacturer out of Worcester Massachusetts. Barbour’s Good Year Welting is known worldwide as the premium leather welting component product for high end quality footwear.
Barbour Plastics is established to produce custom plastic profiles for the Marine Industry. The company focused on fast growing pleasure boat building market producing Rigid and Flexible Vinyl rub rails and trims.
Barbour Plastics installs first Plastic extrusion line to produce lower cost welting for the fast growing footwear industry.
Barbour Welting Company is established in Brockton Massachusetts manufacturing leather welting for the footwear industry. Brockton Massachusetts is known as the original shoe capital of the world.
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