Over the course of a century, Alliance has evolved from a single product to a global leader in multiple industries. Today Alliance represents the benchmark in adapting and inventing simple, practical, and reliable solutions for every day. The remarkable story of Alliance’s first century offers a vision of corporate ingenuity, integrity, and excellence as our Alliance Team continues the legacy of Mr. Spencer and his creative marketing in promoting the many different uses of rubber bands in many different markets. The company’s rich American heritage is built on valuing our associates as our greatest asset. Join us in following the inspiring journey of Alliance’s products.
(Be sure to check out the 1920s if you haven’t already!)
The 1930s
The 1930s saw people waiting in line to get food from charity groups. Times had never been tougher as dust storms eroded topsoil and destroyed crops, turning the middle third of the nation into the Dust Bowl. By 1939, ten million Americans were out of work. Still, some found opportunities at Alliance.
Alliance was dealing with worsening economic conditions while trying to expand the product line and get into national distribution. Our main products were still targeted to newspapers and agricultural growers as well as retail shops and industrial factories.
Demand continued to grow and in 1937, we began to extrude our own tubing, freeing us from the reliance upon other suppliers’ tubing. With the purchase of a facility and the installation of the necessary equipment, we were able to manufacture our own rubber tubing from crude rubber.
This helped turn Alliance into a thriving business that employed more than 20 individuals and created opportunities during the depression in the 1930s when the community needed it most. It also gave us additional control over the quality of our rubber bands and the number of bands in a pound.
Since bands are sold by the pound, but used by the each, this gave Alliance’s customers a better value and more bands for their dollar.
To be continued…
