JASPER – A new chapter is underway for a staple of Dubois County manufacturing. More than 100 employees have returned to work at Jasper Rubber Products, marking a major milestone following the company’s acquisition out of bankruptcy earlier this year by Fort Wayne-based Press-Seal Corporation.
Under its new ownership, Press-Seal has announced an ambitious $4 million capital investment plan for the Jasper facility through 2028.
Rebuilding and Expanding Workforce and Operations
The plant’s revival is already translating into job growth. Company leadership expects employment at the facility to climb back to approximately 200 workers by July 2028. To support expanding production, a second shift is scheduled to restart before the end of the year, followed by a third shift early in 2027.
The $4 million investment will be distributed in phases: about $2 million is slated for equipment upgrades, facility enhancements, and brand restoration by July 2027, with an additional $2 million targeted by the end of 2028. Previously idle equipment is being refurbished and brought back online, and the facility’s plastics operation has already resumed daily production.
Additionally, Press-Seal is actively bringing new work to the facility by transferring a water-gasket production line over to Jasper.
Restoring a Local Legacy
Jasper Rubber Products, founded in 1949, faced a turbulent period when its previous parent company filed for bankruptcy, leading to a temporary closure. However, the acquisition by the Skinner family—who have owned and operated Press-Seal Corporation for three generations—has brought local, hands-on family ownership back to the plant.
“We’re not reinventing Jasper; we’re restoring it,” said Pete Skinner, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Press-Seal Corporation. Company leadership has emphasized that returning the skilled local workforce to the factory floor is a top priority as they work to rebuild customer trust and renew the company’s 77-year reputation for quality.
