Since the paper industry was a prime market for clay, it was here that Robert Vanderbilt saw his Company begin to grow. His success led him to form R. T. Vanderbilt Company's first subsidiary, Continental Clay Company (now Dixie Clay Company) in South Carolina. However, while soft clay was geared to the needs of the paper industry, Continental Clay and North American Clay Company (of which Robert was a director) were also mining hard clays more suitable to the rubber industry. This introduced Vanderbilt to the rubber industry.