Jasper, Indiana – The long‑standing Jasper Rubber Products plant is once again a hub of steady employment for the community. After a brief shutdown earlier this year, the facility reopened under the ownership of Press‑Seal Corporation, a Fort Wayne‑based manufacturer, and is now on track to add more than 100 jobs over the next two years.
New ownership revives local manufacturing
First Brands Group closed all Jasper facilities in March 2026, leaving many workers without a job and the town without a key industrial employer. In July 2026, Press‑Seal Corporation acquired the plant and immediately began a phased restart. The company’s CEO and chairman, Pete Skinner, emphasized the importance of the local workforce: “The people who built Jasper Rubber’s reputation are the ones bringing it back. More than 100 of them are back on the job, and we’re just getting started.”
Shift expansion plan
Press‑Seal’s strategy includes adding a second production shift before the end of 2026 and a third shift in the first quarter of 2027. Supervisors and team leads for the new shifts are already being hired and trained alongside the current first‑shift crew, ensuring that the new teams will benefit from experienced leadership from day one.
Job growth and community impact
According to the company’s press release, the plant’s workforce is expected to reach roughly 200 employees by July 2028. The added jobs span a range of positions, from skilled machine operators and maintenance technicians to administrative and logistics staff. Local officials have welcomed the development, noting that the increase in employment will bolster the town’s tax base and support ancillary businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, and service providers that rely on the plant’s workforce.
Why the revival matters for Jasper
Jasper Rubber Products has been a fixture in the community for 77 years, producing rubber components for a variety of industries. Its resurgence under Press‑Seal not only restores a historic employer but also signals confidence in the region’s manufacturing talent and infrastructure. The company’s commitment to hiring locally aligns with the town’s tradition of family‑centered work and the values of hard work and stewardship that many residents hold dear.
Looking ahead
Press‑Seal Corporation plans to continue investing in equipment upgrades and workforce development programs to keep the plant competitive in a changing market. The company has indicated that it will work closely with local vocational schools and community colleges to create apprenticeship pathways, further strengthening the pipeline of skilled labor for the future.
For now, the return of over 100 workers to the Jasper Rubber Products plant marks a hopeful chapter for the town, reaffirming its manufacturing heritage and providing new opportunities for families seeking stable, well‑paid employment.
Original reporting: 14 News WFIE Evansville (news) — read the source article.
