HOT SPRINGS, Ark.—Alliance Rubber Co. is one of four companies in Arkansas to earn the 2013 Governor's Award for Excellence in Global Trade, according to the company.
The state recognized top exporters in four categories: agriculture; small manufacturer; medium manufacturer; and large manufacturer. Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe hosted the fourth annual luncheon ceremony.
Alliance Rubber, a supplier of rubber bands, office and packaging supplies, was honored in the medium manufacturers category. The Arkansas District Export Council, comprised of state business, education and government leaders, selected all winners. 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, number of jobs saved or created due to export sales.
Exports make up 9 percent of Alliance Rubber's sales, according to Bonnie Swayze, president of Alliance Rubber, which was founded in Alliance, Ohio in 1923. She said the company exports to 28 countries, including Peru, where rubber bands are used to package 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.