American Tubing growth in Springdale to add 50 jobs

An estimated $3.2 million expansion of the American Tubing plant in Springdale is expected to create 50 new jobs and boost the company’s annual payroll to $1.35 million. The company now employs around 160.

The Springdale-based company manufactures copper components used in the air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Company products are also used by defense industry companies. The expansion will add aluminum components to the company’s product portfolio.

“We are extremely excited about this new product line,” American Tubing President Chuck Lewis said in a statement. “We have worked closely with our customers for the past two years to be ready for production in 2014. Since 2008 business has been somewhat flat. Growing and innovating is what we do best.  It’s good to have too much to do again.”

The company operates from a 60,000-square-foot on Ford Avenue in Springdale, and plans to add 20,000 square feet to the building. American Tubing, in operation since 1976, is a subsidiary of Birmingham, Ala.-based National Tubing Holding.

“American Tubing’s decision to expand in Springdale rather than looking elsewhere confirms the quality and dedication of the company’s existing workforce,” said Grant Tennille, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We appreciate American Tubing’s continued commitment to its Arkansas manufacturing facility.”
 
In the press release, Lewis praised the help the company received from officials with the  city and Springdale Chamber of Commerce.
 
“American Tubing would very much like to thank the Mayor’s Office, the Planning Commission, and the Planning and Community Development Department for all their help to get this project underway,” Lewis said. “Having the Springdale Chamber of Commerce in your corner is also a great benefit in getting things done so you can continue to grow as a business.”

The new jobs are being filled through three staffing firms – A.S.A.P. (479) 750-2727; ONIN Staffing (479) 751-0101; and 1st Employment Staffing (479) 444-7671.

And although the Northwest Arkansas job market has been on a positive track for several years, the region’s manufacturing sector can use the added jobs from the American Tubing expansion.

The Northwest Arkansas manufacturing sector employed an estimated 27,000 in August, unchanged compared to July, and above the 26,800 during August 2012. Sector employment is down more than 21% from more than a decade ago when August 2002 manufacturing employment in the metro area stood at 34,300.

Overall, the August report marked the 13th consecutive month that the region’s jobless rate has been at or below 6%.