70 Years of Innovation

Jessup Manufacturing
since 1956

Since 1956, Jessup Manufacturing has stood for innovative self-adhesive materials, coating technologies and solutions for demanding applications.

What began as a small family business in a garage in McHenry, Illinois, has developed over seven decades into an international manufacturer of specialty materials.

Today, Jessup combines the flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit of a privately held company with modern manufacturing facilities and extensive technical expertise.

Understand challenges.
Develop solutions.
Make products.
Rob and Scott Jessup – Jessup Manufacturing
70 Years
1956 – 2026
The Beginning

From a garage to an international manufacturer

In 1956, Paul S. and Gertrude Jessup founded the company in McHenry, Illinois.

With just one machine, Jessup initially produced leather strips for baseball gloves.

What followed was driven less by a predefined business plan than by a basic principle that continues to shape the company today: listen to customers, understand their challenges and develop materials that solve those challenges.

Over the decades, this philosophy led to new coating processes, self-adhesive materials and specialized products for industry, workplace safety, sports and graphic applications.

Our History

70 Years of Development and Innovation

From the first production steps in 1956 to new coating technologies, new product segments and today’s modern manufacturing capabilities: Jessup’s history has been shaped by continuous development and innovation.

1956

The Beginning

Paul S. and Gertrude Jessup establish Jessup Manufacturing in McHenry, Illinois. Production begins in their home garage with a machine used to manufacture leather components for baseball gloves.

1975

Jessup Griptape

Jessup begins manufacturing skateboard griptape. What starts as a new product category develops into one of the company’s best-known product lines worldwide.

1988

Expanding Coating Expertise

With the acquisition of Kencote Laminations, Jessup expands its capabilities and expertise in industrial coating technologies.

2000s

New Markets and Applications

Anti-slip products, photoluminescent materials, specialty films and graphic media develop into important product categories and application areas.

2014

Expansion in Lake Bluff

Jessup expands its production capacity in Lake Bluff, creating additional space for continued growth and modern manufacturing technologies.

2016

The Maker

With the installation of the new grit coating line known as “The Maker”, Jessup continues to invest in advanced coating technology and additional manufacturing capacity.

2020

USA Skateboarding

Jessup becomes the official griptape partner of USA Skateboarding, connecting decades of experience in the skateboard industry with international competitive sport.

2021

Olympic Stage

Skateboarding makes its Olympic debut, bringing a product category to the global stage that Jessup has been closely associated with since the 1970s.

2026

70 Years of Jessup Manufacturing

Seven decades after its founding, Jessup combines long-standing experience with modern coating technology, innovative material solutions and customer-specific product development.

2026

D&K Coating Technologies

With the acquisition of D&K Coating Technologies, Jessup expands its manufacturing capabilities and expertise, particularly in custom coating and toll coating.

Jessup Manufacturing & SMS sign media solutions

American Innovation.
European Market Expertise.

For decades, Jessup Manufacturing has been developing and manufacturing innovative self-adhesive materials and specialty solutions.

SMS sign media solutions brings this experience to the European market.

As a Jessup partner, we combine product and application expertise with local support, fast product availability and direct access to technical information and documentation.

Not simply selling materials.
Creating solutions for applications.
Looking Forward

70 Years of Experience Are Just the Beginning.

New materials, new adhesive systems, new coating technologies and new applications often begin with one simple question:

“What does the material need to do?”
Together with our customers, we find the right answer.