Supplier No. 5 US Extruders Inc. | Best Places to Work 2025

US Extruders Inc. doesn't just meet industry standards — it sets them. Tenacity and innovation are in its DNA.

The Westerly, R.I.-based supplier of single-screw extruders and extrusion systems for plastics, rubber and silicone said it forges ahead "with tenacity and a relentless pursuit of excellence."

US Extruders was founded in 2017 by Bill Kramer, who was the chief engineer and technical director at Davis-Standard for 15 years and co-founder and president of American Kuhne for 18 years. "[Kramer] has been responsible for many innovative extruder design elements and features throughout this career," the company's website says.

Kramer received the Society of Plastics Engineers' Bruce Maddock Award — named for the pioneer who developed the fundamental processes and equipment for the extrusion of thermoplastics and was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 1997 — in 2020 for Kramer's work in advancing extrusion technology throughout his career.

At nearly 50,000 square feet, US Extruders' facility runs on 100 percent solar power, reflecting its dedication to sustainability.

With 40 percent of its team identifying as millennial or younger, the company is committed to training the next generation of workers by partnering with schools, chambers of commerce and local organizations to provide internships and seminars.

"US Extruders actively engages with local colleges, such as the University of Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, to attract Gen Z talent. These efforts include offering internships that provide students with hands-on experience. The company also accommodates flexible arrangements to fit their needs. Additionally, hosting events like a medical seminar at UMass Lowell — free for students — helped us connect to students and has recently concluded to us hiring a newly graduated plastics engineering student," the company said in its Best Places to Work survey.

The supplier fosters a collaborative, supportive culture grounded in standards such as respect, open communication and doing the right thing.

"The company values its employees as its greatest resource, offering flexible time off, mentorship programs and leadership workshops to support personal and professional growth," US Extruders said, adding that employees enjoy weekly lunches to bond and share ideas.

Benefits and programs for employees include paid maternity and paternity leave, community service initiatives and charitable drives to collect items in need, flexible work hours, and job shadowing and cross-training. There's even a paper airplane contest.

US Extruders' commitment to its employees translates to a commitment to its customers.

"We partner with our customers to create innovative solutions that address their unique challenges. We pride ourselves on our commitment to transparency and reliability. Our approach to equipment lead times exemplifies this dedication. By maintaining strong relationships with vendors and proactively stocking essential components, we ensure that our custom extruders are delivered in the shortest possible time. This guarantees that our clients receive top-quality equipment without unexpected delays.

"Our success is intrinsically linked to the success of our customers. We are dedicated to building strong partnerships and leveraging our creativity and innovation to drive mutual success," the company said.