Jasper Group marks 150 years of manufacturing in Jasper

Jasper Group is marking 150 years in Jasper with a milestone that reaches far beyond a corporate anniversary. The company traces its roots to 1876, when furniture was already being made and shipped from the same facility it still operates today, a continuity that makes the celebration a local story about manufacturing, family generations and the kind of work that has long anchored Dubois County.

The company says it now has nearly 1,000 employees and more than 2.3 million square feet of office spaces, lumberyards and mill rooms in Dubois and Orange counties. It remains the parent company of JSI and Klem, serving education, corporate, dining, government and hospitality customers. Conexus Indiana says Jasper Seating Company Inc., part of Jasper Group, is the oldest continuous manufacturer of office furniture in the United States.

That history includes more than longevity. Jasper Group says its early years in southern Indiana helped produce one of the first U.S. patents in Indiana’s fledgling furniture industry through its roll-top desk, and its first chair, the “400,” introduced in 1929, is still in production today. Those details matter in a county where manufacturing is not just part of the economy, but the leading employment sector. Dubois Strong Economic Development says manufacturing leads employment in Dubois County, and the county’s largest employers are manufacturers.

For Jasper, the anniversary also reinforces a reputation the community has worked to build for decades. The Jasper Chamber of Commerce describes the city as a business-friendly community with a skilled workforce and a long reputation for outstanding work ethic, dedication and pride in craftsmanship. Jasper Group’s 150-year run fits that identity, showing how a hometown manufacturer can survive wars, recessions, shifting labor markets and changing tastes while still remaining rooted in the same place.

Conexus Indiana says the company posts about $200 million in annual sales and was projected to reach $250 million in 2025, underscoring that this is not a relic of old industry but an active manufacturer with current market reach. Jasper Group plans a fall anniversary celebration in 2026 for employees, retirees, families, customers and community members, a gathering that reflects how deeply the company’s story is tied to the people who built it and the next generation expected to carry that work forward.