Article: Last year was bad, but it only got worse; Annual reports show beginning of decline.(News)(Company rankings)

Byline: Edward Noga

The obvious feature of this year's rankings of North America's largest rubber product makers is that while 2008 was a tough year for the industry, compared with the recession-plagued 2009 it was a picnic.

Of the companies listed in the Rubber & Plastics News top 50 North American product manufacturers, ranked by 2008 sales, most showed revenue improvement or at least didn't suffer a sales decline from 2007.

Barely, though22 manufacturers posting higher sales, 23 lower results and five no change.

That certainly won't be the case next year.

Need an example? Take the tire industry. Overall demand is expected ...

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