Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
web
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Coronavirus
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Women in Tire & Rubber
    • ITEC
    • International Elastomer Show
    • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Israel's Tactile Mobility launches tire insight technology
      Bidirectional EVs could lend a hand in power crisis
      WDK: German rubber industry set for double-digit growth in 2021
      Dana acquires electronics and software provider Pi Innovo
    • Israel's Tactile Mobility launches tire insight technology
      Goodyear joins EASE Logistics, Ohio city to launch connected mobility pilot program
      Goodyear to raise prices on passenger tires
      Ryan Patterson to lead Goodyear-Cooper integration efforts
    • Smithers opens doors to new medical device testing lab
      Maine's Poly Labs doubles work force
      Foam shortage a major concern for auto makers, seating suppliers
      New Products: Kraiburg launches advanced, ‘supersoft' TPEs
    • Emerald to close Illinois rubber additives site
      Smithers opens doors to new medical device testing lab
      Dana acquires electronics and software provider Pi Innovo
      Gelest's Barry Arkles enters National Academy of Engineering
    • Gelest's Barry Arkles enters National Academy of Engineering
      ECO starts 'first' U.S. silicone rubber recycling plant
      New legacy taking shape at Stockwell Elastomerics
      Fenner opens new textile treatment line in Pennsylvania
    • Ohio firm focuses on making better masks in U.S.
      U.S. to increase NBR, make gloves using Defense Production Act
      Tire Cologne canceled; rescheduled for 2022
      Tire Technology Expo canceled for 2021
    • Ryan Patterson to lead Goodyear-Cooper integration efforts
      New legacy taking shape at Stockwell Elastomerics
      Davis-Standard promotes Andrew Alaya to aftermarket sales role
      Harwick Standard adds Flores to West Coast sales team
    • Bidirectional EVs could lend a hand in power crisis
      Braskem Idesa reopens PE complex in Mexico with new contract
      To boost U.S. microchip production, Biden administration must find supply chains weaknesses
      TIA among associations against increase to minimum wage
    • Column: Value is the stuff in custom mixing
      New legacy taking shape at Stockwell Elastomerics
      Column: Discussions of race, equality may mean uncomfortable moments
      Column: Business trips possible because of essential workers
    • Part 2: Studying RPA ASTM methods for detecting compound quality differences
      Studying RPA ASTM methods for detecting compound quality differences
      Damage mechanism in oil and gas formulations during downhole testing
      Advancements in synchronous drive belt design for industrial and consumer markets
    • Rubber Division introduces WORD webinar series
      WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      New video celebrates women in rubber industry
      ITEC panelists say women can thrive in tire industry
    • Goodyear recognized by Lockheed Martin as 'elite supplier'
      EV tire advancements to help secure future
      Lambillotte: Only question on AVs is timing
      CAR official says EV future brighter than autonomous
    • Rubber Division introduces WORD webinar series
      Rubber Division seeks abstracts for 200th Technical Meeting
      WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      IEC keynote: Communication key to logistics
    • Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Faster Access to Your Polymer Compounding Experts Around the World
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Take a walk thru a HEXPOL Lab
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      HEXPOL offers a unique selection of High Performance Elastomers to match your application requirements
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      It’s what you can’t see that makes the Difference at HEXPOL
  • Blogs
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
    • New Products: Kraiburg launches advanced, ‘supersoft' TPEs
      New Products: Mahr Inc. introduces MarForm MMQ 500 Form Tester
      New Products: Starrett expands field-of-view for multi-sensor vision system
      New Products: Nova thinks outside the box with sealing tech
    • Wacky World of Rubber: How Trelleborg, teens sealed a spot in the world record book
      Wacky World of Rubber: Of chicken and feet, but not chicken feet
      Wacky World of Rubber: Time to go mattress shopping
      Wacky World of Rubber: Because nothing says football like 'frunk' shrimp
  • Newsletters
    • Rubber in Automotive
    • Silicone News
    • Latex News
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Israel's Tactile Mobility launches tire insight technology
      Bidirectional EVs could lend a hand in power crisis
      WDK: German rubber industry set for double-digit growth in 2021
      Dana acquires electronics and software provider Pi Innovo
    • Gelest's Barry Arkles enters National Academy of Engineering
      ECO starts 'first' U.S. silicone rubber recycling plant
      New legacy taking shape at Stockwell Elastomerics
      Fenner opens new textile treatment line in Pennsylvania
    • Top Glove eyes new expansions with Hong Kong listing
      Sri Trang Gloves starts major capacity expansion
      Synthomer dismisses takeover reports
      Combined Goodyear-Cooper Tire company has tire technology, sustainability edge
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Directory
  • Resources
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • HB Chemical
      Sponsored By HB Chemical
      The HB Chemical and Ravago Partnership: Taking Customer Service to a New Level
      Sponsored By HB Chemical
      Above and Beyond with HB Chemical
      Sponsored By HB Chemical
      The Company Behind the Inventory
      Sponsored By French Oil Mill Machinery
      Process Improvement, Cost Reduction with Custom Press Systems
    • Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Labs of the Future: How to Choose a Laboratory Information Management System in 2021
      Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Cooper Standard deploys lab informatics platform to synchronize R&D
      Sponsored By Elkem
      LSR Selectâ„¢: A solution to improve your financial impact in molding applications
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Peroxide Cureable Silicone Injection Molding
  • Data
  • Events
    • RPN Events
    • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • ITEC Library
    • International Silicone Conference Library
    • 2021 Healthcare Elastomers Virtual Edition
      2021 Rubber in Automotive Virtual Edition
      2021 International Latex Conference Virtual Edition
      2022 ITEC
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Silicone
September 08, 2020 10:27 AM

Tennessee community, Groove Life grow together

Mike Scott
Rubber & Plastics News Correspondent
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Groove Life
    Groove Life recently began designing, making and testing breathable silicone watch bands. They are designed to fit Apple, Fitbit and Samsung watches.

    SPRING HILL, Tenn.—One rubber manufacturer has fallen into a "groove" with innovative products and ongoing growth that has led to a nearly $2 million facility investment.

    Groove Life said in July that it will invest $1.9 million to expand its Spring Hill headquarters and manufacturing operations. The investment will create 76 new jobs throughout the next five years and support business growth that includes product line expansion.

    The company was first launched in Alaska with the help of a Kickstarter campaign in December 2015. It has grown into a leading provider of silicone rings, watch bands and belts for consumers with an adventurous lifestyle who want to display their individuality. Customers can purchase breathable silicone rings from six off-the-shelf collections, as well as a custom collection.

    More recently, Groove Life began designing, testing and manufacturing the world's first breathable silicone watchband. Each watchband is made with breathable grooves on the interior from a medical grade silicone band and designed to fit Apple, Fitbit and Samsung watches. It is because of these innovations and popularity that Groove Life outgrew an old school building where it first was housed in 2017, when owner Peter Goodwin moved the company to Tennessee.

    The expanded headquarters will include up to 15,000 square feet of space in a facility that previously was an old lumber supply company, about 100 yards from Groove Life's current location at the former Spring Hill High School. The expansion and renovation roughly will quadruple its space, and will house new hires in areas such as management, production, wholesale and more, said Matt Mitchell, Groove Life chief operating officer.

    It is expected that the new space will be in use by October.

    Groove Life
    Groove Life plans to expand its Spring Hill, Tenn., headquarters and manufacturing operations.

    "We've absolutely outgrown our space and have been bursting at the seams now for awhile," Mitchell said, adding that Groove Life now employs more than 140 people, with most in full-time roles. "Just a few years ago, our fulfillment department fit into a 900-sq.-ft. old classroom at our (current) site. It's been a whirlwind."

    Groove Life's raw materials are sourced from factories overseas, and the decorations and patterns are applied by team members in Tennessee using special machinery and equipment. The rings are nearly all injection molded before arriving in the U.S., but they include different sizes and profiles to match branded product lines.

    Many of Groove Life's rings, watch bands and belts display professional sports team or collegiate logos. The company has developed exclusive licenses with these organizations, including more than 70 colleges and universities. Fulfillment, wholesaling, e-commerce and back-end operations are all housed in Spring Hill.

    "We're really excited about the innovative products we have now and others we are discussing internally," Mitchell said. "One of the things that sets us apart is the breathable grooves we're adding to our products and the fact that all of our products are extremely comfortable and stylish."

    Working with Groove Life has been an ideal match since the business first moved its operations to Tennessee in 2017, said Allen Borden, deputy commissioner of business, community and rural development for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. The department helped to recruit Groove Life to the state, and also assisted with the company's forthcoming discretionary tax grant and to secure tax credits. The amount of the discretionary grant will be announced later this year.

    "Any time we can create (about) 75 family-wage jobs that provide our citizens with a great living we're extremely happy," Borden said.

    Tennessee has built a strong base of manufacturers in the rubber, plastics and chemicals industry in recent years that have experienced revenue and employee growth. Since January 2015, TNECD has disclosed nine rubber manufacturing projects across the state. These projects have resulted in approximately 1,600 new job commitments and $468.4 million in capital investments.

    The growth of Groove Life in a relatively rural area of Maury County is especially beneficial. Borden said the state offers many benefits to similar manufacturers. It has been a proactive effort to attract rubber and similar manufacturers over the last five years.

    Groove Life
    Silicone rings are injection molded and designed to match branded product lines.

    "We have the great fortune of being located within a day's drive of two-thirds of the American population," Borden said. Tennessee also has a strong system of highways running through it and access to the Mississippi River. "Whether it's rail, roads or water, we have effective methods of getting raw materials in and low costs of shipping (finished) products out."

    Borden also believes that the state's general business environment of low business taxes (considered by the TDECD to be the lowest in the U.S.), having the lowest state debt per capita in the country and being focused on providing a high level of access to training and educational benefits are critical. Providing the type of discretionary tax grant and tax credits that Groove Life will receive are two key pieces as well.

    "Our businesses appreciate that the state government won't balance its problems on the backs of small businesses," Borden said.

    Groove Life's products undergo a rigorous testing process that confirm durability and quality, Mitchell said. Its products aren't the least expensive—retail prices range from $30 to $50 for most silicone rings—but are made of high-quality material and come with a lifetime warranty, he says.

    "Even if you lose your rings or band, we'll send you a new one. We don't ask any questions, we just focus on customer satisfaction," Mitchell said.

    Groove Life continues to research potential new products and innovations, like its patented Zeus Ring, which includes three layers and a unique inner band to prevent undue stretching. Most of its current and future products comprise injection-molded silicone or plastic materials.

    The company sells both wholesale and directly to consumers, and has experienced consistent triple-digit growth annually. It counts numerous sports personalities such as NFL quarterback Phillip Rivers, MMA champion Michael Chandler and NASCAR driver Ward Burton as its customers.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber & Plastics News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber & Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber & Plastics News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    web
    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Contact the Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Coronavirus
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Women in Tire & Rubber
      • ITEC
      • International Elastomer Show
      • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Newsletters
      • Rubber in Automotive
      • Silicone News
      • Latex News
      • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Multimedia
      • Videos
      • Photo Galleries
    • Directory
    • Resources
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Data
    • Events
      • RPN Events
      • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • ITEC Library
      • International Silicone Conference Library
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION