A legend in the industry, Paul Smith is retiring after 69 years in the Conveyor Belt/Rubber industry. With a career that began in 1955 at Sacramento Rubber Supply, Paul has enjoyed an incredible journey through the industry, marked by dedication, hard work, and countless professional relationships that have been both rewarding and meaningful.

Paul started in 1955 with Sacramento Rubber Supply, where the foundation of his career was laid. It was here that he first entered the world of rubber products and conveyor solutions, beginning a lifelong passion for the field. In 1962, he joined the BF Goodrich Company, where he had the opportunity to expand his knowledge and take on new challenges within a growing industry. He spent 6 months in Akron, OH training as an Industrial Sales Correspondent before managing a field territory consisting of Utah, SW Wyoming, and Eastern Nevada.

In 1967, Paul moved on to Goodyear Rubber & Supply, a key point in his career that allowed him to further develop his expertise in the rubber industry. His work at Goodyear included helping to establish Fabricon as the first fabricated belt company in the US to both manufacture and fabricate corrugated sidewall belts. One of Paul’s fondest memories from his time at Fabricon was receiving a $100k commission check for securing a deal to supply grape harvest belts to Up-Right Harvester in Selma, CA.  In 1983, he took the next step in his career with Beltservice, after they purchased Fabricon, where he focused on the conveyor belt sector and continued to broaden his skill set.

In 1991, Paul joined Apache Hose & Belt, where he continued to build on his knowledge and contribute to the advancement of the rubber and belt industry. His work at Apache included developing the cut rubber parts division focused on gaskets and seals.

In 2001, he transitioned to the Canadian operation of American Biltrite, where his expertise in cut rubber parts was essential. His time at American Biltrite provided him with fresh opportunities in various industries, including the development of hidden markets within the live fire shooting industry.

Most recently, in 2020, Paul joined IMTECH Rubber Products a division of RAM Enterprise, where he continued to apply his decades of experience to support the company's mission of providing high-quality rubber products and innovative solutions. His contributions to IMTECH Rubber Products have been highly valued, and he has enjoyed working with a dedicated team that shares his commitment to excellence.

As Paul enters this next phase of his life, he is deeply grateful for the many colleagues, mentors, and friends who have been part of his professional journey. He is proud of the work he has done and the lasting impact he has made in the industry. Though he is retiring from his professional role, Paul will always remain connected to the field and looks forward to staying in touch with those who have been part of his career.

Thank you to everyone who has supported him over the years. Paul is confident that the relationships and memories built during his career will continue to be a source of pride and joy for many years to come.  We would like to invite anyone who wishes to say goodbye to Paul to the RAM Enterprise / IMTECH Rubber Products facility in Elko, NV on November 8^th from 2 pm – 4pm for a celebratory retirement party.