MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Arthur Rubber Co.'s tagline, “Keeping America on a Roll,” is fitting as the company itself is on the move.
Bo Arthur, Arthur Roller president and CEO, said the firm's current space was getting cramped.
“We had a shop that was about 25,000 square feet,” he said. “We were crowded. We needed some more equipment.”
With no room in its present location for new machinery, the company purchased a 60,000-sq.-ft. building in downtown Memphis.
“We were running pretty much at capacity before we moved,” Arthur said.
The company paid about $500,000 for the building and its upgrades, along with about $250,000 for additional equipment.
“We added new equipment, added to our work force. We beefed up our sales force,” he said.
Along with the additional sales force, Arthur said the company has expanded its sales territories.
The old location is still being used for some of the company's products, such as its rubber lining.
Arthur said some jobs are being done there because it is easier to finish them at the site than transfer them to the new facility; however, the company plans to lease that location after it vacates it.
Along with the new equipment, Arthur Rubber added about eight employees, increasing its work force to 20. Arthur said the company was due to expand because it had nearly doubled its sales.
The move, finalized in January, took about two months to complete.
Arthur Rubber is working on adding a machine shop to the new facility so it can handle its metal repair in house.
A family-owned business, run by Bo Arthur and his brother, Rob, the company offers various products, including rollers and pulleys; rubber lining; and hose, tubing and sleeves, along with special rubber offerings.
According to the company's website, it has scheduled trucks that run in more than 14 states.
The company serves a variety of industries, including coating, corrugated, embossing, graphic arts, laminating, plastics, pulp and paper, personal care, steel, general industrial, rubber and urethane receiving.