Governor Kay Ivey visited Specification Rubber Products in Alabaster, Alabama, on March 21, 2022, as the company celebrated being named the “Best Place to Work” in the U.S. by Rubber News. The program recognizes and honors companies in the rubber industry for outstanding employee satisfaction. This was the first time an Alabama governor has visited the manufacturing facility. Also in attendance were Alabaster Mayor Scott Brakefield, Alabama House of Representative Kenneth Paschal of District 73 and Manufacture Alabama Director of Member Engagement Amanda Salazar.

“It just speaks volumes to us to have Governor Ivey and others come see us at Specification Rubber and recognize the work our employees are doing,” said Specification Rubber President Steven Smith. “It helped make an extraordinary day even more extraordinary.”

The celebration began with an overview of Specification Rubber’s operations and products by Marketing and Sales Manager Wesley Helton, who said the company will ship two million rubber components to its customers in 2022, including the Amarillo gasket that is used with AMERICAN’s ductile iron pipe. “We are so fortunate to have such great teammates who put their heart and soul into Specification Rubber Products on a daily basis,” Helton said. “Without their support and love of this company, we would never have had a chance at winning such a prestigious award.”

Governor Ivey and others then toured Specification Rubber’s manufacturing operations. The celebration ended as the Governor spoke to the crowd of employees and guests. “It is quite an accomplishment to be the number one rubber maker in the U.S.,” Governor Ivey said. “Without all of you, we wouldn’t have the components to make clean water.”