The Economy

Rubber Products Manufacturer Expanding in Indiana

Aug. 30, 2010

Company is consolidating some operations from Ohio facility.

Sperry & Rice Manufacturing Co. LLC, a Brookville, Ind.-based rubber products producer, is expanding its manufacturing operations in Brookville.

Sperry & Rice, which makes rubber seals and hoses for the appliance, automotive and truck and bus industries, is consolidating some operations from the company's Killbuck, Ohio, facility into the site.

This consolidation allows the company to balance production and focus each plant on its process strengths to provide a higher level of service to our customers, said Jim Gregory, president and CEO of Sperry & Rice.

The expansion will create up to 40 new jobs by the end of 2010, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp. The agency has offered Sperry & Rice up to $200,000 in performance-based tax credits based on the companys job-creation plans.

Franklin County will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Franklin County Economic Development Commission. Additionally, Sperry and Rice will receive a $500,000 grant from the city of Lawrenceburgs Regional Economic Development Grant program.

In August 2009, the company announced it would create 25 new jobs and offer advanced training to existing workers at the Brookville facility as the result of a state training grant and funding from the city of Lawrenceburgs Regional Economic Development Grant program.

Sperry & Rice was established in 2004 after Sperry Rubber & Plastics and Rice Chadwick Rubber Co. were acquired and combined. Today the company employs nearly 60 people in Brookville.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.