Sorbothane—Our Company Timeline and History

Sorbothane, Inc. has been the innovative and trusted choice of engineers worldwide for over three decades, developing materials and American made components that isolate vibration, absorb shock and damp unwanted noise. Since 1982, Sorbothane, Inc. has produced individualized shock and vibration solutions for numerous and diverse markets. Learn more about our company history and Sorbothane^® products by viewing our timeline below.

1975

Dr. Maurice Hiles holding his new invention Sorbothane material.

Dr. Maurice Hiles Invents Sorbothane in England

1980

Green and black Sorbothane material being used in manufacturing equipment with a worker in a blue shirt.

Installed Manufacturing Equipment in America for US Domestic Market

Black Sorbothane Heels & Full Sole insoles.

First Products – Sorbothane Heels and Full Sole Insole

Full line of Sorbothane Heels and Full Sole Insoles

Establishing Premium Insole Market in US

Heel shock diagram

Nike Studies Conclude Sorbothane Absorbs Up to 94.7% of Impact Shock

Tan Nike running shoe with navy swoosh that used Sorbothane material

Produced Sorbothane Heel Pad for Nike Running Shoes

1981

Dr. Hiles talking about his invention of Sorbothane material

Dr. Hiles Joins HK from The United Kingdom

1982

Sorbothane headquarters sign in Kent Ohio

BTR Forms Sorbothane, Inc. in US

1984

Sorbothane manufacturing facility warehouse in Kent OH

Sorbothane, Inc. Relocates to Kent, Ohio, Plant and Increases Manufacturing Capacity

Packaged Sorbothane KICK EEZ recoil pads

KICK-EEZ^® Sorbothane Recoil Pads Enter Shooting Market

Black Audio Quest Sorbothane CD Feet

Audio Quest Launches Sorbothane CD Feet and Big Feet

1985

Sorbothane Insoles made with dual casting showing the different layers in blue, orange, red, and black

Dual Casting Patent Awarded to Sorbothane, Inc. (Ultra Sole)

Brass multi-axis isolator with black Sorbothane for digital equipment

Digital Equipment Becomes First Large Industrial Customer (Multi-Axis Isolators)

1986

Naturalizer shoes made with Sorbothane Insoles

Brown Shoe Uses Sorbothane in Naturalizer (Sold 2 Million Pair)

APMA Accreditation Awarded to Sorbothane Insoles

1987

Anti-vibration gloves made with Sorbothane

Sorbothane, Inc. at Forefront of the Ergonomics Movement with Anti-Vibration Products

1990

Female engineer configuring a Sorbothane solution on her desktop computer

Engineering Staff Established

1993

Wilson premium baseball glove made with Sorbothane

Wilson Premium Baseball Gloves Feature Sorbothane

2000

Trelleborg Purchases Sorbothane, Inc. from BTR

Group of men climbing an icy mountain

Climber Conquers Kilimanjaro Wearing Sorbothane Insoles

2001

Exterior of the Novartis building

Sorbothane, Inc. Partners with Novartis on Insole Launch

2003

The American Flag hanging down with "Made in America" written above

Private Ownership – Keeping Jobs in America

Close up of the Liberty Bell secured with Sorbothane wheeled carriage support system

Sorbothane Protects Liberty Bell during Historic Move

2005

US Space Shuttle launching off its platform

Space Shuttle Cameras Are Isolated Using Sorbothane Components

2008

Getty Museum ancient artifact of a pitcher depicting Neptune

Getty Museum Protects Priceless Ancient Artifacts with Sorbothane

2009

Vitamix commercial blender

Sorbothane Gaskets Quiet Premium Vitamix^® Commercial Blender

2010

Water resistant Sorbothane square pads in black and red

Introduced Water-Resistant Sorbothane

2012

Sorbothane, Inc Celebrates 30 Years

2013

Sorbothane Insoles kiosk

Established Direct Sales of Sorbothane Insoles to Retail Market

2014

Packaged Sorbothane Soft-Blow Mallet in three sizes

Expanded the Sorbothane Soft-Blow Mallet Family

2016

Manufacturing robots using Sorbothane to isolate vibrations

Sorbothane Components Isolate Floor Robots from Vibration and Disruptions

2022

Sorbothane, Inc. celebrates its 40th year of delivering proven shock, vibration, and noise-reducing solutions.