Company may bring more jobs to Carson Valley

The recent acquisition of a large industrial building along Heybourne Road could bring additional jobs to Carson Valley.

VIP Rubber Co. President Howard Vipperman said his company recently acquired an Ontario, Calif., division, which he’s preparing to move to Minden.

Vipperman estimated the former plastic extrusion division of AmesburyTruth has 40 employees.

He said that current employees will be offered an opportunity to move with the company, but that he expects there will be openings.

“I know we’ll be hiring in that area,” he said. “Our goal is to be ready to go to work there Jan. 1.”

The manufacturer will be doing all sorts of work, including making bumpers for shopping carts and step-pads for vehicles.

Vipperman said the company recirculates all the water and recycles any products that don’t meet specifications.

He said the plant won’t produce any smell.

VIP is a family company founded in 1961 by Vipperman’s father, Howard Sr. The company’s name comes from the first three letters of Vipperman.

The company sells nationally in every state in the union, and has a staff of about 180 workers.

“We’re still considered a small company,” he said. “We’re really excited to be coming to Minden.”

VIP Rubber doing business as La Habra De Plata, bought the property at 2393 Heybourne Road for $3.16 million, according to NAI Alliance Industrial Properties Group.

The 52,741-square-foot building was formerly leased to Nevada Filtration Systems. Escrow closed on the industrial building on Oct. 2.

Intero Real Estate Services represented Vipperman in the property purchase.

“VIP Rubber identified Nevada for obvious reasons that are attracting many companies to the state,” Intero Broker Matt Carter said. “Mr. Vipperman and his team recognized the gem that the Carson Valley is. We toured property all over northern Nevada and they kept coming back to the Carson Valley.”

Carter said he was happy to have a company with such longevity move here.

“In working with the ownership and leaders over the past year I can tell you that they have been a very enjoyable client to work for and we are fortunate to have people like these moving to our community,” he said. “The company will be hiring in our community and should prove to be an enjoyable workplace with a great culture I have been able to witness in their other facilities.”