ABOUT
RUBBER ADVOCATES has a vision to inspire Evolved Manufacturing in the Rubber Industry through the connection of best-in-class products, people, and processes. Our mission is to guide rubber manufacturers in industry best-practices to conquer the challenges of the future.
Through this vision and mission, rubber molders will acquire connections to competent suppliers and talented individuals needed for rubber manufacturing, and insights into critical tribal process knowledge.
JOHN MOHL II
Founder & Principal
Background
1984–1994: Commercial education with practical mold shop training
1986–1989: Adhesive Process Eng., Paulstra CRC
1990–1992: Classic Molding Process Eng., Paulstra CRC
1993–1996: Injection Molding Process Eng., Paulstra CRC
1996–1999: Prototype Department Mgr., HUTCHINSON
1999–2006: Industrialization Molding Process Eng., HUTCHINSON
2006–2012: Regional Sales Mgr., REP Corp
2012–2016: National Sales Mgr., REP Corp
2016–2019: National Sales Director, MAPLAN
2019–2022: Vice President of Sales, MAPLAN
2020–Present: Principal Partner, Rubber Advocates, LLC
Q&A
Where do you believe the rubber industry is headed? What does the industry look like 10-20 years from now, based on current trends?
I see clearly that the Rubber Industry has incredible growth opportunity every waking day. The better question is, "Are we preparing in a way that puts necessary tools in place to capture reasonable opportunities?"
Each year, our industry misses out on converting thousands of new parts that are waiting to be designed or converted from non-rubber material. With the average age of our industry at 59 and the lowest percentage age groups in the 30-50 range, I see the next two generation cycles in our industry as absolutely critical! My generation changed jobs only a few times throughout their career, but the generation entering the Rubber Industry is expected to change jobs at least seven times! The byproduct is that rubber molders must really understand their products, people, and processes to quickly incorporate best-in-class business practices to have some reasonable chance at keeping or growing market share.
How can Rubber Advocates help rubber molders adapt to their future situations/challenges?
I have personally had so many incredible unique opportunities in my 35+ years in this wonderful industry. Transitioning molding operations from 100% classical molding (compression/transfer) to 100% injection, adapting 100+ cavity production molds down to a single cavity, experiencing all the unique ways to mold parts using kits, shuttles, turntables, rotary, vertical, horizontal, rheological technology, dielectric technology, being on the ground floor of water-based adhesives, evolving the preheating of inserts for optimized molding, and I could go on. These are just some of the experiences RUBBER ADVOCATES brings when offering best-in-class insights for evolving your current molding operation.
What is your next big project?
I've been working with some other industry colleagues to write a technical book (release date TBD) that will provide a practical guide for someone “new” to the Rubber Industry and responsible for rubber injection molding activities. There are three steps in the manufacturing evolution toward rubber injection molding. The first step is converting processes from compression or transfer to injection. The second step is using rheological control to work with the natural shear influence when moving rubber material from the starting point to end point. The third step, which is still currently being created in the Rubber Industry, is in-mold cavity controls (pressure, temperature, dielectric). Overall, something will be in control of the overall molding process, will it be the rubber or will it be you?
Industry Affiliations
ACS - Rubber Division (Area Director), MRG, ORG, FWRPG, ARPM
Hobbies
Mentoring, restoring old homes, and long walks on the beach.
Personal Information
Married with 3 children, located in West Michigan
Endorsements:
"I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with John Mohl since the early 2000's, and I can say - without hesitation - that he is truly a leader within the Rubber Industry. John’s personality, passion, charisma, and foresight allows him to create long lasting, career changing relationships wherever he goes. John is a gifted networker, teacher and relationship builder that carries a high level of professionalism, and accountability. His ability to connect to people as a true professional leader and motivator is what allows him to build trust among his co-workers, and solve problems that produce results. Very few people understand the Rubber Industry quite as well as John. Any company fortunate enough to work with him on a project will benefit and leave feeling 100% satisfied."
Fred Rechter
"We hired Rubber Advocates to develop a structured training program to reinforce and develop our rubber processing knowledge. The approach was methodical and practical using hands on studies and applications. The materials provided are very robust and comprehensive. John has extensive knowledge across multiple industries in rubber processing and has a passion to articulate and share this knowledge with others. We see a positive impact in our teams development and on the bottom-line for performance and optimization of our processes."
Russ Olson
"I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with John since we both entered the Rubber Industry in the mid-80's. His determination, quest for knowledge and intuitive thinking has positioned him as a knowledgeable leader in the industry in the processing of rubber, rubber derivatives and the mechanical aspects of associated molding equipment. John stands out, not just for his vast knowledge, professionalism, and individual charisma, but also in his desire to teach those interested in learning the aspects in which he excels. John is a leader, a teacher, and an associate who I proudly call a friend."
Michael DeGraaf
"I have known John for the better part of 20 years, and you will not find anyone who understands rubber processing better. He has a great grasp of the equipment, the interaction of the material and the parameter affects on the final product. He has a high level of professionalism and is a very competent problem solver. He truly is a great resource for the Rubber Industry."
Louis Mattia
CORE VALUES
CONNECT THE DOTS
Offer valuable connections
and practical insights
QUESTION THE BOX
Innovate through curiosity
and create endlessly
PEEL THE ONION
Use systems thinking
and holistically understand the situation
EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE
Adapt to difficulty
and continuously improve
EVOLVE THE INDUSTRY
Master your competencies
and mentor others