At Grand River Rubber & Plastics, we’re proud to highlight the talented individuals who bring innovation, dedication, and teamwork to our workplace. Today, we’re excited to introduce Grant Mercer, a Materials Engineer who joined us in April 2024. With a strong background in chemical engineering and nearly a decade of experience in the rubber industry, Grant brings valuable insight and a fresh perspective to our Technical Department.
Get to know Grant, his role, and what makes him tick below.
Grant earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Youngstown State University and spent the early years of his career at Hexpol Compounding, a custom rubber mixing company. His time there laid a solid foundation for his transition to Grand River, where he’s continued to build on his expertise—now from the product-processing side of the rubber world.
Since joining Grand River, Grant has been part of the Technical Department, focusing on extrusion-based processes and autoclave curing. His work supports the production of key rubber components like gaskets, seals, and belts. With extensive hands-on experience working with various grades of rubber and processing equipment, Grant has found a new appreciation for the complexity of rubber engineering.
When asked what he enjoys most about his work, Grant says, “Problem solving and being involved with rubber compounds in a different way than I had in my previous roles has allowed me to learn a lot. Also, just being able to work alongside the great team we have here at GRRP has been a blessing.”
One of Grant’s strengths is his deep understanding of the custom mixing process from his previous role. That insight helps him implement improvements in throughput and processing efficiency at Grand River—a great example of how diverse experience can drive innovation.
A “typical” work week for Grant? There’s no such thing. “You never know what projects may pop up the list of importance,” he says. “You learn a lot, and the days go by fast.” His adaptability and enthusiasm for learning are evident in the way he tackles new challenges.
Since transitioning into this role, Grant has discovered how close-knit the rubber industry really is. “The ‘rubber world’ is smaller than it may seem,” he shares. “This new role has enabled me to grow relationships and knowledge of the industry in ways I was unaware of before.”
Outside of work, Grant enjoys an active lifestyle centered around nature and community. He lives in Painesville and makes the most of the many metro parks in Lake County. In the warmer months, you’ll likely find him at Headlands beach or hiking with his two dogs, Nala and Luna. He also enjoys playing sports—especially sand volleyball—and spending quality time with family and friends. Music is another big part of his life.
Growing up, Grant didn’t have a specific career goal but admits that being a professional athlete seemed like a fun day job. “Being almost 30 now though,” he jokes, “I think I missed that boat.” A loyal Cleveland sports fan, Grant is especially into football and basketball. He brings that same energy and optimism to his work here at Grand River Rubber & Plastics.
We’re proud to have Grant as part of the Grand River team and look forward to the impact he’ll continue to make in his role. Thank you, Grant, for your dedication, energy, and fresh perspective—you’re a valued part of what makes Grand River great!