Company History
Industrial Rubber & Gasket, Inc. was founded in 1981 and began its Nashville roots in a facility located in the city’s downtown area on 5th Avenue South. It did well for several years, but later experienced problems that were insurmountable. George and Joyce Fournier purchased the business out of bankruptcy court in April 1989.
The Fourniers bought the assets of the company and incorporated as D & M Industries, Inc. dba as Industrial Rubber & Gasket (which is how the company was formerly known). The name has subsequently changed to dba as IR-G. George decided to continue leasing the 5th Avenue South building and placed resources into the inventory to allow the company to grow in a slow, steady manner. In late 1994, property on Lafayette Street in Nashville was purchased and renovated. IR-G moved into that location in January of 1995.
In November of 2015, a building was purchased at 1500 Elm Hill Pike. Following a renovation, which included retrofitting the building with LED lighting and other energy conservation measures, the Nashville location moved from downtown Nashville and into that building in May of 2016. The 38,000 sq. ft. warehouse and office space allows for continued growth of the corporate location.
IR-G today
From the initial leased space and three employees, IR-G with George now as CEO, Joyce as Treasurer, son Mark Fournier as president, and daughter Donna Nock as Vice-President has grown today to include five locations in three states with over 40 employees, selling industrial and hydraulic hose, gaskets, sheet material and sealing products and services.
Customers include Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to the automotive industry from the Nashville headquarters location and from Cookeville and Clarksville, Tenn., branches. Local steel mills comprise the largest customer base for the Blytheville, Ark., location. The newest branch in Decatur, Ala., focuses on a diverse base of industrial and construction customers.
Employees: 41
Locations: 5–Nashville, Cookeville, Clarksville, Tenn., Blytheville, Ark. and Decatur, Ala.
Primary Products: Industrial & hydraulic hose, gaskets, sheet material, and sealing products