Alliance Rubber Company, a leading global supplier located in Hot Springs, Ariz., announced that the company was one of four Arkansas companies recognized Wednesday at the 2013 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade.
The fourth-annual awards luncheon was hosted by Governor Mike Beebe. The event recognized the state’s top exporters in four categories—agriculture, small manufacturer, medium manufacturer and large manufacturer.
Alliance was selected as the recipient for medium manufacturers. All award winners were selected by the Arkansas District Export Council, comprised of state business, education and government leaders. Judging criteria includes the most recent percentage of export sales to total sales, growth of export sales in the last three years, the company’s export goals, and, when applicable, the number of jobs saved or created due to export sales.
Alliance Rubber, which produces rubber bands and other related products, was founded in Alliance, Ohio, in 1923. It opened a Hot Springs plant in 1944 after founder William Spencer visited the city for its hot baths. In 1991, the company officially moved its headquarters to Hot Springs and consolidated all its operations there.
“Exports make up about 9 percent of our sales,” said Bonnie Swayze, daughter of company founder Spencer and current president of Alliance Rubber Company. “We export to 28 countries including Peru, where Alliance rubber bands are used to hold together bundles of asparagus.”
The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Global Trade is presented by the Arkansas District Export Council, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the Arkansas World Trade Center in Rogers and the U.S.
For more information, visit www.alliance-rubber.com.
