Hytrol, Jonesboro Chamber To Host Manufacturing Day Events, Highlights Tek Starz Camp

Hytrol Conveyor Company Inc. and the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce are teaming up on Oct. 1 to host an event honoring local manufacturers. The Manufacturing Day event will be held at the Chamber of Commerce. It is one of over 1,400 across the nation and Arkansas, and is an opportunity for companies to address challenges and concerns while celebrating the industry.

Earlier this year, Hytrol announced a $12 million expansion that is expected to be completed by early 2016, company officials said. The project includes a 62,000 square foot expansion of Hytrol’s manufacturing facility, including a new paint system, lasers, brake presses, and computerized numerical control (CNC) equipment.

At least 36 new permanent positions will be created as a result of the expansion, according to Chris Glenn, Hytrol Vice President of Manufacturing and Engineering Operations. The fast-growing Northeast Arkansas manufacturer currently employs more than 800 workers at its Jonesboro operations.

The “manufacturing day” event will highlight the Tek Starz summer camp. Tek Starz is developed by the Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas State University at Newport with assistance from the Arkansas Manufacturing Extension Partnership and local manufacturers. During the summer camp, students visit local manufacturers and learn about the industry through hands-on projects and other activities. Presentations from the June camp will be made to sponsors at the event.

Mark Young, President and CEO of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, said that teaching young people about manufacturing will help the future of Jonesboro and the nation. “Having a trained workforce is imperative to our economic success,” said Young. “Tek Starz is a great way to introduce manufacturing as a career, which will ultimately improve our economy.”

Shelle Randall, the Director of Workforce Development & Existing Industry at the Chamber, agreed. “Tek Starz helps us build a pipeline of talent for our Jonesboro area manufacturers. It’s truly a collaborative effort of committed stakeholders who have created a first class experience for the campers. Tek Starz is not only a win from a workforce development perspective, it’s also a joy to work.”

Glenn said that Hytrol’s participation in Manufacturing Day is an important representation of the company in the industry.

“Manufacturing is who we are at Hytrol, and we understand the importance of it in the U.S.,” said Glenn. “Supporting Manufacturing Day demonstrates Hytrol’s support for all manufacturers. We have suppliers that support us through manufacturing, and we support our customers by manufacturing products for them. Manufacturing supports so many families here and elsewhere providing a good quality of life for each and every person. It’s imperative that we recognize the importance of manufacturing to our culture and how it touches everyone.”

In addition to Hytrol and the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and organizations participating in Manufacturing Day include: AEDC-Manufacturing Solutions, Arkansas State University-Newport, Workforce Training Consortium and Arkansas State University.

Len T. Frey, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Arkansas State University, said, “Manufacturing is a vital component of our regional economy. At A-State we believe it is a critical element of our mission to be a catalyst for economic development for the region and state and we are proud to partner with the chamber in support of the Tek Starz program.”