Rogers manufacturer expanding operations

C&M Machine Holding Inc., a Rogers manufacturer, is planning an expansion project that will more than double its operations at 207 Buttry Road, just off of Arkansas Highway 94.

Cleve Jernigan, the company’s vice president of operations, said the company will add about 12,000 square feet of shop space to its existing 8,208-square-foot facility.

The project gained city approval Nov. 7. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring on C&M’s 4.5-acre property.

Hilburn Builders Inc. of Rogers is the general contractor.

“Some of our new contracts require more fabrication space, and we’re jam-packed right now,” Jernigan said. “We just need the room.”

C&M makes parts to support the aerospace and defense industries. Jernigan said the company works directly with about a dozen customers, including Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

Jernigan declined to disclose the company’s revenue.

If the expansion leads to more business, Jernigan said C&M could be hiring additional employees. The company now has 24.

“I am projecting we’ll add five to 10 people over the next couple of years,” he said. “By the time I retire in 10 years, we’ll be between 40 and 50 employees.”

C&M is a woman/veteran owned small business. Jernigan’s wife, Mary Jernigan, is president of the company. It was founded as Warren Machine in California more than 40 years ago and relocated to Rogers in 1993. The Jernigans bought the business in November 2005.

“When we bought it we had about 2,500 square feet and four employees, counting my wife and me,” said Jernigan, whose professional background prior to C&M was in information technology. He also holds a master’s degree in aviation management.