The History of Alliance

20’s

1923

1923

W.H. Spencer founded the company in Alliance, Ohio.

Invented newspaper, produce, TY and packer bands.

40’s

Hot Springs, Arkansas facility opened.

1944

1944

50’s

1957

1957

Invented the Open Ring® Band

Invented QW bunches and jumbo pack.

1958

1958

1959

1959

Invented slide dispenser mass market pack, perforated desk and open window boxes.

ARCO Circulation Supply supplied newspapers with a variety of circulation supplies.

1959-69

1959-1969

60’s

1963

1963

Invented "Brilliant Bands" and freezer bands.

Developed the first Zip Bands for postal use.

1966

1966

1967

1967

Introduced dealer's window display.

Installed world's first continuous cure extrusion line for rubber bands.

1969

1969

70’s

1970

1970

Invented Flexbands®

Manufactured in Walldorf, Germany

1970-83

1970-1983

1974

1974

Invented Big Bands™

80’s

Invented Pic-Pac

1984

1984

1986

Invented the world's first imprinted Ad Bands®

Purchased Eberhard-Faber Star and Ideal brands lines

1988

90’s

1993

Awarded Blue Chip Enterprise Award from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Rubberband.com went live

Introduced ProTape® and dispensers

1995

1996

Named Arkansas Business of the Year by AR Business Magazine

Awarded AR Quality Award by the state of Arkansas

Invented Brites® band line

1997

1998

Introduced Autoband® system

Purchased mail/ship line from Rotex

1998

1999

Named Garland County Industry of the Year

2000’s

Received Governor's Award for Drug-Free Workplace Program

Added Cable Wrapz™

2000

2002

Introduced Gear Strapz™ and STRAC Pack™

STRAC Pack was designed in collaboration with 5th Special Forces Group in Ft. Campbell, KY to silence and secure gear.

Added price guns

Added pallet bands

2006

Introduced Non-Latex (orange) bands™

Invented Fragrance Bands™

2007

Invented X-Treme File Bands™, colored EPDM and Non-Latex bands with Antimicrobial Protection.

Introduced Corner to Corner™

2009

2010’s

2010

Named Office Depot HUB Supplier of the Year

Introduced Reusable Solutions™

Recognized with the Supplier Appreciation Award from the NAEPB

Introduced Eraselets®, Whiffers® scented bands and Slip-On Grip™

2011

2012

Received the "Excellence in Innovation Award" from the National Institute for Standards and Technology

Invented FotoFlex® four-color imprinting process

Winner in the New Product category of the Promotion Products Association Mid-South Show

Added Blacklight Ink to Ad Bands®

Received "Made in USA" Certified Product Innovation of the Year Award

Governor's award for Excellence in Global Trade

Top American manufacturer honors in the Office Supplies Made in the USA Foundation and made Movement

2013

2014

Hot Springs Headquarters expansion

Introduced Resistor Strip™

Developed automated bag in a bag

Garland County Industry of the Year

Highlighted in Department of Commerce's 50 States of Trade for Export Success

Launched Tie Dye Rubber Bands, Reflection Bands, 4-Way Bands and Mover Bands

2015

Featured on premiere season of Home Factory on HGTV

Received Large Business of the Year for Community Service from Hot Springs Chamber

ISO 9001:2008 Certification

Large Business of the Year for Community Service from Hot Spring COC

Better Business Bureau’s 2016 Torch Award for Ethics

Promotional Products Business Greatest Companies to Work for

Sponsorship of Mid America Science Museum’s Tinkering Studio

2016

2017

Garland County Master Gardeners Outstanding Landscape Award

Partnership with University of Sussex to Infuse Graphene into Rubber

Opened New Division, ARCO® Silicone

Added Silicone Extrusion

2018

2019

automatic banding machine

Introduced Banding Machine for Seafood Industry

2020’s

Introduced Brand-It™

Rubber Strips for Face Shields and Masks, and Antimicrobial Tourniquets

Added Silicone Molding

2020

2021

Governor's award for Excellence in Global Trade During a Pandemic

Awarded to those who were able to successfully overcome the economic impacts of the 2020 pandemic and retain at least 95 percent of their workforce

Awarded "The Best Large Company to Work For in Garland County"

in The Sentinel-Record Reader’s Choice Awards

2022

sentinel record readers choice award

2023

"Largest Woman-Owned Business in Arkansas"

Ranked #1 by Arkansas Business, based on the number of employees

"Coolest Thing Made in Arkansas"

The “World’s Only American-Made Rubber Band” made it to the Final Four in this contest held by Arkansas Business

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At Rubber Band University you will learn everything there is to know about our favorite invention – the glorious Rubber Band. From rubber band sizes to the history of rubber – you’ll find it all here.

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Alliance Rubber Company is a family-owned business with humble beginnings that has grown into a thriving American success story. Since 1923, Alliance Rubber has proudly produced rubber bands for use in the home and workplace. Continuing to manufacture its products in the USA, enables Alliance to provide high-quality products, fast service, and fresh stock that is built to last. Alliance Rubber, a women-owned company, manufactures bands that ‘Hold Your World Together.’

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