Sorbothane, Inc.

Overview

Sorbothane, Inc. manufactures viscoelastic urethane polymer components under the Sorbothane brand for shock absorption, vibration isolation, and noise damping. The company supplies standard and custom parts to industries including aerospace, medical, sporting goods, and consumer products. It operates from Kent, Ohio, with in-house engineering and testing capabilities.

History

Sorbothane material was invented in 1975 by Dr. Maurice Hiles in England. Sorbothane, Inc. was formed in 1982 by BTR in the US, relocating to Kent, Ohio in 1984. Key early products included insoles and heel pads, with Nike using them in running shoes after studies showed high shock absorption. The company expanded into ergonomics and anti-vibration products in the 1980s and 1990s, reaching 30 years in 2012 and introducing water-resistant versions in 2010.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured in-house at a 64,000 square foot facility in Kent, Ohio, using specialized pouring machines for the viscoelastic urethane polymer. The company handles custom molding and maintains an in-house testing and quality assurance lab.

Notable Products

• RX Sorbo Performance Insoles - Replaceable insoles for shock absorption in footwear, APMA accredited.
• Sorbothane Heel Pads - Early product used in Nike running shoes for impact reduction.
• Soft-Blow Mallets - Line of mallets expanded in 2014 for non-damaging impacts.
• Anti-Vibration Mounts - Components for ergonomics and machinery isolation.
• Water-Resistant Sorbothane - Introduced in 2010 for enhanced durability.

Reputation

Sorbothane is recognized by engineers for reliable shock and vibration control, with long-term use in niche applications like insoles and industrial mounts. It holds BBB accreditation since 2003 and serves diverse markets without major reported issues. Some note limited scale due to small employee count, focusing on specialized rather than mass production.