AirBoss of America
A Canadian manufacturer of rubber, polymer, automotive, industrial, and protective products.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
AirBoss of America is a Canadian chemical and manufacturing company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Its activities center on rubber and polymer processing, with products and capabilities serving industrial, automotive, defense, and personal-protection applications. The company traces its origins to IATCO Industries, established in 1989 by Alan R. Burns. Its early business focused on airless rubber treads for skid-steer loaders used in mining and related heavy-duty applications. Those treads were first marketed in 1995, establishing a foundation in specialized rubber products rather than conventional consumer tire manufacturing. The company adopted the AirBoss name in 1994. During its early expansion, it developed a substantial industrial rubber business. By 1997, it was reportedly producing approximately 100 million pounds of rubber for industrial sales, while only about 10 percent of that volume was being used for tire production. AirBoss subsequently sold its tire business, concentrating instead on industrial rubber, engineered products, and specialized protective equipment. This shift illustrates the company's movement away from a narrower tire-oriented identity toward a diversified materials and components manufacturer. AirBoss expanded through acquisitions and facility investments. Its operating footprint came to include a facility in Kitchener, Ontario, acquired from ITRM in 1995; a winter-boot factory in Acton Vale, Quebec, acquired from Acton Vale Co. in 1999; a facility in Scotland Neck, North Carolina, acquired in 2005; and an Auburn Hills, Michigan operation obtained through the 2013 purchase of Flexible Products, an automotive-parts producer. In 2021, the company added a Rock Hill, South Carolina facility through the acquisition of Ace Elastomer. These locations supported activities spanning rubber compounding, molded and engineered components, footwear, automotive parts, and protective products. The Acton Vale business was also reshaped over time. AirBoss sold the consumer footwear division while retaining military footwear and industrial supply activities. The retained protective-products business expanded beyond footwear into gloves, gas masks, and firefighter boots. This development gave the company a presence in products intended for demanding occupational, emergency-response, and defense environments, alongside its industrial and automotive operations. Leadership has included Bob Hagerman, who became chief executive when the company was founded, and co-founder Gren Schoch, who became CEO in 2013. Chris Bitsakakis joined Schoch as President and Co-CEO in 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AirBoss received a US$96 million contract from the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency in April 2020 to supply 100,000 powered air-purifying respirators. The contract placed the company among manufacturers contributing to emergency protective-equipment supply during the public-health crisis. AirBoss is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BOS. Public reference material identifies the company as active and diversified across rubber, polymer, automotive, industrial, and protective-equipment activities. The available material does not establish a complete current segment breakdown, present executive roster, or detailed product-by-product catalogue.
History
AirBoss of America began in 1989 as IATCO Industries, founded by Alan R. Burns. The business initially concentrated on airless rubber treads for skid-steer loaders used in mining and other demanding industrial environments. These products were first marketed in 1995. Bob Hagerman became chief executive when the company was founded, while Gren Schoch was also identified as a co-founder and later assumed the chief executive role. In 1994, IATCO Industries changed its name to AirBoss. The renamed company broadened its manufacturing base through acquisitions and facility purchases. In 1995 it purchased a Kitchener, Ontario facility from ITRM. By 1997, AirBoss was reported to be producing 100 million pounds of rubber for industrial sales, with only one-tenth of that volume being used in tires. The company later sold its tire business, reflecting a strategic emphasis on industrial and engineered rubber products rather than a continuing focus on tires. AirBoss expanded into footwear through the purchase of Acton Vale Co. in 1999, acquiring a winter-boot factory in Acton Vale, Quebec. The company subsequently sold the consumer footwear division but retained military footwear and industrial supply operations. The retained footwear and protective-products activities developed into a broader range that included gloves, gas masks, and firefighter boots. Further expansion took place in the United States. AirBoss acquired a facility in Scotland Neck, North Carolina, in 2005. In 2013 it purchased Flexible Products, an automotive-parts producer, giving the company an operation in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Schoch became CEO in 2013, and Chris Bitsakakis joined him as President and Co-CEO in 2017. These developments coincided with AirBoss's broader positioning as a supplier of rubber and polymer products for automotive, industrial, defense, and protective applications. The company became particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded AirBoss a US$96 million contract for 100,000 powered air-purifying respirators. The award was described in the reference material as a no-bid, sole-source agreement advanced by Peter Navarro during the Trump administration and facilitated by retired General Jack Keane. The contract connected AirBoss's protective-equipment manufacturing capabilities with emergency procurement requirements. In 2021, AirBoss acquired Ace Elastomer, adding a facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Together with its Canadian and other United States facilities, the acquisition broadened the company's manufacturing footprint. AirBoss is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol BOS and is described as an active Canadian chemical and manufacturing company. The available reference material does not provide a complete account of later leadership changes, current financial performance, or the full present-day structure of its operating segments.
- 2021
Ace Elastomer acquired
[1]AirBoss acquired Ace Elastomer, adding a Rock Hill, South Carolina facility.
- 2020
FEMA awards respirator contract
[1]The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded AirBoss a US$96 million contract for 100,000 powered air-purifying respirators during the COVID-19 response.
- 2017
Chris Bitsakakis joins as President and Co-CEO
[1]Chris Bitsakakis joined Gren Schoch as President and Co-CEO.
- 2013
Flexible Products acquired
[1]AirBoss purchased Flexible Products, an automotive-parts producer with an operation in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Gren Schoch also became chief executive during this period.
- 2005
Scotland Neck facility acquired
[1]The company acquired a facility in Scotland Neck, North Carolina.
- 1999
Acton Vale footwear facility acquired
[1]AirBoss purchased a winter-boot factory in Acton Vale, Quebec, from Acton Vale Co.
- 1997
Industrial rubber production reaches reported scale
[1]The company was reported to be producing 100 million pounds of rubber for industrial sales, with approximately 10 percent used in tires.
- 1995
Airless tread products are first marketed
[1]The company began marketing airless rubber treads designed for skid-steer loaders in mining and related heavy-duty applications.
- 1995
Kitchener facility acquired
[1]AirBoss purchased a Kitchener, Ontario facility from ITRM.
- 1994
Company adopts the AirBoss name
[1]IATCO Industries changed its name to AirBoss.
Products and positioning
A diversified rubber and polymer manufacturer serving specialized industrial, automotive, defense, emergency-response, and personal-protection applications.
Industrial rubber products · 1995
Airless rubber treads
AirBoss developed airless rubber treads for skid-steer loaders operating in mining and other demanding environments. The products formed part of the company's early specialization in durable rubber solutions for heavy equipment. They were first marketed in 1995. The available reference material does not identify specific model names, technical specifications, or whether every original tread product remains in the current portfolio.
Industrial materials and components
Industrial rubber products
Industrial rubber products are a core part of AirBoss's manufacturing identity. The company expanded its industrial rubber output substantially during the 1990s and was reported to be producing 100 million pounds of rubber for industrial sales by 1997. The category includes rubber materials and components for specialized industrial applications, but the cited reference does not provide a complete current catalogue or detailed product specifications.
Automotive parts · 2013
Automotive rubber and polymer components
AirBoss's automotive offering expanded through the 2013 acquisition of Flexible Products, an automotive-parts producer associated with the Auburn Hills, Michigan operation. This business broadened the company's role in molded and engineered rubber or polymer components for vehicle applications. Specific component names, customer relationships, production volumes, and current model applications are not identified in the available source material.
Protective footwear
Military footwear
AirBoss retained military footwear activities after selling the consumer footwear division associated with its Acton Vale business. Military footwear represents the company's extension of rubber manufacturing into protective and mission-oriented equipment. The source material does not identify individual boot models, contracts, armed forces customers, or current production status for particular designs.
Personal protective equipment
Protective gloves
The protective-products business expanded from footwear into gloves. These products fit AirBoss's broader focus on equipment for military, industrial, emergency-response, and other environments requiring physical protection. Available reference material does not establish the full glove range, materials, certification standards, or product-level launch dates.
Respiratory protective equipment
Gas masks and respirators
AirBoss expanded into gas masks and respiratory-protection equipment as part of its protective-products business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company received a United States FEMA contract for 100,000 powered air-purifying respirators. The cited material does not provide a complete list of models or technical characteristics.
Emergency-response footwear
Firefighter boots
Firefighter boots are among the protective products associated with AirBoss's expanded footwear and safety-equipment activities. They serve emergency-response applications in which footwear must provide protection under demanding operating conditions. The available source does not identify specific products, standards, markets, or dates of introduction.
Personal protective equipment · 2020
Powered air-purifying respirators
Powered air-purifying respirators formed the subject of AirBoss's US$96 million FEMA supply contract announced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The contract covered 100,000 units and demonstrated the relevance of the company's protective-equipment manufacturing capabilities to emergency procurement. The available source does not establish a distinct commercial product-family name or detailed technical specifications.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquisition of Ace ElastomerM&ABackground
AirBoss continued to expand its rubber and elastomer manufacturing network in the United States.
Action taken
The company acquired Ace Elastomer and added a facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded AirBoss's United States operating footprint.
2020
Emergency respirator supply decisionProduct launchBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic created urgent demand for respiratory protective equipment in the United States.
Action taken
AirBoss accepted a US$96 million FEMA contract to supply 100,000 powered air-purifying respirators.
Aftermath
The agreement increased the public profile of AirBoss's protective-equipment activities and connected the company to the United States emergency procurement response.
Contract value. US$96 million (April 2020)
2013
Acquisition of Flexible ProductsM&ABackground
AirBoss sought to expand its presence in automotive parts and engineered rubber or polymer applications.
Action taken
It acquired Flexible Products, an automotive-parts producer associated with an Auburn Hills, Michigan facility.
Aftermath
The transaction added an automotive manufacturing operation to AirBoss's geographic and business footprint.
1999
Purchase of Acton Vale Co. winter-boot factoryM&ABackground
AirBoss was broadening beyond industrial rubber products and developing footwear-related capabilities.
Action taken
The company purchased a winter-boot factory in Acton Vale, Quebec, from Acton Vale Co.
Aftermath
AirBoss later sold the consumer footwear division while retaining military footwear and industrial supply activities.
1994
Rebrand from IATCO Industries to AirBossStrategyBackground
The company had been founded as IATCO Industries in 1989 and was developing a broader rubber and polymer manufacturing identity.
Action taken
It changed its corporate name to AirBoss in 1994.
Aftermath
The AirBoss name became associated with the company's subsequent expansion into industrial, automotive, and protective products.
Sources2 sources
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