Benjamin Franklin once said time is money. Mike Halay could not have agreed more. He opened Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket Company in 1957 because he understood the impact of downtime on the bottom line of local industry.

“My father moved from Houston to Lake Charles to open an industrial supply business. His idea was to supply local industry immediately with the material they need without having to wait for it to arrive from a Houston supplier,” said Vesta Johnston, daughter of the company’s founder and current company owner.

Mike’s first sales call was to a purchasing agent at a local chemical plant. After he talked the purchasing agent into giving him a gasket order, Mike went out to his station wagon, lowered the tailgate and punched out the gaskets. He continued meeting the service challenges of the local industry and earned the respect and confidence of an entire community. Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket continues to keep local industry up and running.

“Downtime can be extremely costly,” said Mark Johnston, who has worked at Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket for over 30 years. “We can be more responsive because we’re local. We have $3 million invested in inventory tailored to customers’ needs and ready for immediate delivery saving our customers costly expediting fees and hot shot charges. We have plenty of trucks. We have more experienced people with capabilities not found in this market”

LCR&G provides the best quality products in the industry.

• Flexitallic spiral wound gaskets

• Garlock gasket sheet material

• HoseMaster stainless steel hose and expansion joints

• Goodyear/ContiTech hydraulic, chemical and utility hoses

• Highland Threads B7, B8 and B16 rod; Teflon coated stud bolts and hex head bolts

In addition to its extensive inventory, Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket can fabricate what local industry needs when they need it.

“Most companies are not as fortunate to have the highly qualified shop staff we do,” said Vesta. “Our employees have over 200 years combined experience, and include a HoseMaster and ASME IX certified welder.”

“We offer quick turnaround on stainless steel expansion joints, metal hoses, Kammprofile and double jacketed exchanger gaskets, flue ducts, conveyor belting and stud bolts cut to length,” said Cliff Moncrief, company manager. Custom cut gaskets can be made on the company’s Flow Waterjet in small or large quantities precisely and quickly. “And we’re on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”

Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket’s 55,000 square foot facility includes fully stocked warehouses, a fastener shop, a conveyor belt shop capable of supplying customers with any width or length of conveyor belting including the necessary splicing and vulcanizing and a sewing shop for tarps, fire blankets, containment boots, flange guards and other custom goods.

“It’s all made here, locally, said Vesta, which can save our customers time and money. We can also sew other finished goods made from rubber, Teflon-coated fiberglass, reinforced vinyl and PTFE materials.”

The equipment and processes may have changed at Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket, but not its business philosophy.

“We understand the value of time,” said Mark. “That’s why we provide the standard of service and the quality products we do. This is how the company got its start and the secret to its success for the past 62 years. We’re thankful to the customers who have placed their trust in Lake Charles Rubber and Gasket, some for decades.”

Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket is committed to continuing Mike Halay’s legacy: providing the best value through service, quality and competitive pricing for years to come.

Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket is a member of the following organizations:

• Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI).

• Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance (LCIA).

• National Association of Hose and Accessories Distributor (NAHAD).

• Women’s Business Enterprise certified through WBENC, the nation’s largest third party certifier of businesses and property owned by women, making it possible for customers to add to the diversity of its customers supply chain.

• Founding member of RAGCO, an organization of 55 value added stores across the country making it possible to carry the very best brands at the very best prices.

Lake Charles Rubber and Gasket employees have over 200 years combined experience. One of those employees, Steve Moe, is a HoseMaster and ASME IX certified welder. He is shown above welding an expansion joint.

Mike Halay, founder of Lake Charles Rubber and Gasket Co., circa 1957.

The Flow 2 Waterjet cutting system at Lake Charles Rubber & Gasket allows intricate gaskets to be cut quickly and precisely.

Lake Charles Rubber and Gasket supplies area industries with any width or length conveyor belt, including splicing and vulcanizing. Shown is Steve Moe.

BEFORE: A local industry’s conveyor drum was worn down on one side to the bare metal. 

AFTER: Steve Moe replacing the slide lagging on the worn drum.