The Dodge Industrial manufacturing facility in Rogersville, Tennessee, is celebrating 55 years of operation, innovation, and service to customers, employees, and the local community.
Established in 1970 after Dodge operations relocated from Mishawaka, Indiana, the plant began production in March 1971 with 33 employees manufacturing mounted ball bearings, mounted sleeve bearings, Taper-Lock® bushings, and sprockets. The facility reached a significant milestone of manufacturing its one-millionth mounted bearing in 1985.
Today, Rogersville specializes in the manufacturing of mounted ball bearings and cone components for mounted roller bearings produced at the Dodge manufacturing facility in Marion, North Carolina. Its workforce has now grown to approximately 200 dedicated team members, including multiple employees with exceptional tenure—three with more than 50 years of service and three with over 40 years of service: Rick Lawson (54 years), Steve Hilton (53 years), Darryl Jones (52 years), Glen Pearson (42 years), Larry Byington (42 years), and Gary Byington (41 years).
Rogersville has built a strong safety legacy, achieving multiple milestones between 1 million and 5 million safe work hours without a lost-time accident throughout its history. The facility has now surpassed 14 years, equivalent to more than 7 million hours, without a lost-time incident. Its safety performance has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Tennessee Commissioner’s Award for Excellence in Workplace Safety and Health in 2000, 2003, 2007, and 2021; the Most Improved Safety Mechanical Plant Award in 2015; and the Governor’s Award for Safety in 2018, 2019, and 2024.
Additionally, the plant actively maintains a leading position in customer service and product quality within the mounted ball bearing market. Its commitment to exceeding customer expectations has earned it the Dodge Plant of the Year Customer Service Award 13 times, along with achieving QX certification for quality in 2014.
“This milestone reflects the dedication, craftsmanship, and pride our Rogersville team brings to work every day,” said Tom Carpenter, Plant Manager at the Dodge Rogersville facility. “For 55 years, this facility has played an important role in serving our customers, supporting our community, and carrying forward the Dodge legacy of quality and reliability. We are proud of what this team has accomplished and excited for what comes next.”
Dodge commemorated the milestone with a public open house at its Rogersville facility on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The event gave hundreds of members of the community, elected officials, and media representatives an opportunity to connect with employees, tour the facility, and learn more about the facility’s history and operational capabilities.
For more than five decades, the Rogersville facility has upheld its mission of being the best, as determined by our customers. As the plant celebrates this 55-year milestone, Dodge remains committed to continuous improvement and to supporting its employees, customers, and the surrounding community.