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ROYALTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Vail Rubber, a national leader in the rubber industry for more than 125 years, will build a state-of-the-art, 68,550 square foot manufacturing operation in Royalton Township.  Vail Rubber has been headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan, since 1920 and has outgrown its current facility in downtown St. Joseph. 

Vail Rubber has hired Pearson Construction of Benton Harbor to build the new, $8.3 Million campus.  Pearson Construction has led the construction industry in Berrien County for more than 100 years.  Cathy Tilley, Business Development Manager at Cornerstone Alliance, met with Royalton Township Commissioners today to introduce the project. 

“Vail Rubber is one of Berrien County’s most respected employers and today’s announcement will set them up for another century of making the highest-quality roll covers,” said Tilley.  “Without the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Royalton Township Commission, this project would not have occurred.  The increased investment will have a very positive impact on Royalton Township and the increased traffic will greatly benefit the businesses in the Hollywood Road corridor.”

The Royalton Township Board approved the creation of an Industrial Development District and granted a 12-year tax abatement for Vail Rubber’s new building.  Construction is set to begin in April and is set to be completed by March 2020.  The new facility will result in the creation of at least 10 new positions with support from Kinexus, the area's Michigan Works! partner.

Bill Hanley, President of Vail Rubber Works, said, “We are very excited to expand our manufacturing footprint in Royalton Township and would like to thank the MEDC, Cornerstone Alliance and Royalton Township for helping to make this a reality.”

Started in 1892, Vail began manufacturing rubber railroad ties with the goal of making rail travel quieter and softer. Vail quickly moved to a product with greater demand – molded rubber horseshoes. As more people drove horseless carriages, the company adapted to a new rubber product to protect bearings on paper handling rolls from acid spray. This resulted in Vail's segue into manufacturing roll covers for the paper, metal and other industries, something they have perfected over the last 100 years

Greg Vaughn, Chief Operating Officer at Cornerstone Alliance said, “Vail Rubber has been one of the most visible and successful companies in Berrien County for more than a century.  They are an employer of choice due to their commitment to employee safety and consistent, steady growth.  This new facility will set them up for another century of being the country’s most respected roll cover manufacturer.”