Canadian-based metal company sets up US headquarters in Conway

Canadian-based metal manufacturer DBG on Wednesday (Aug. 2) announced plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Conway at the former IC Bus factory, following the acquisition of the Illinois-based bus manufacturer.

“DBG has been looking for a location to establish our U.S. operations for many years, and today we are excited that our research has led us to Conway, Arkansas,” DBG President and CEO Mike De Biasi said in a press release.

“The acquisition of Navistar’s former IC Bus operations allows us to be part of a growing community, provides us with a strong experienced workforce, increases our technical capabilities and diversifies our product offering.”

DBG, in business 41 years, supplies the heavy truck, automotive, agriculture and commercial industries as a tier one and tier two provider of custom metal products, according to the press release.

The company plans to double business over the next five years, said Peter Chapman, former IC Bus employee and now general manager of DBG’s Conway branch, according to the press release. “This will require substantial investment in facilities and equipment while in turn creating significant employment opportunities that are less reliant on the seasonality of the bus market,” he said.

The Conway location now employs more than 200.

Arkansas Economic Executive Director Mike Preston said, “Advanced manufacturing jobs play an integral part in our state’s economy. … I applaud DBG’s decision to invest in Conway and keep 200 valuable employees working here as the company explores additional growth opportunities.”

Conway Mayor Bart Castleberry alluded to a 100-year history in the bus and heavy truck manufacturing market and said DBG’s investment in the city’s industry is “an honor.”

DBG’s world headquarters is in Mississauga, Ontario. The company has two other facilities in that city and two in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. It employs about 650.