Tour of Hydril plant demonstrates need for balance of automation and manual work in elastomer manufacturing

Through its Hydril Elastomer Plant in Humble, Texas, HMH utilizes proprietary formulations of various chemical compounds to manufacture the rubber components used in its annular packing elements. DC toured the plant on 13 May and spoke with Chad Walker, the plant’s Director of Operations, about the facility’s history and the automated systems being used in the rubber manufacturing process. Mr Walker also talked about the role that humans play at the plant, especially in the trimming of raw rubber into finished components.