20’s
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
50’s
1957
Invented the Open Ring® Band
Invented QW bunches and jumbo pack.
1958
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
60’s
1963
Invented "Brilliant Bands" and freezer bands.
Developed the first Zip Bands for postal use.
1966
1967
Introduced dealer's window display.
Installed world's first continuous cure extrusion line for rubber bands.
1969
70’s
1970
Invented Flexbands®
Manufactured in Walldorf, Germany
1970-83
1974
Invented Big Bands™
80’s
Invented Pic-Pac
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
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
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
