Wood product maker to invest $23 million, add jobs at North Little Rock plant

Koppers, a global provider of treated wood products, announced Tuesday (Aug. 25) that it plans to invest a minimum of $23 million and increase the number of workers at its North Little Rock facility over the next two years.

The investment will be used for new construction and to purchase equipment that will allow Koppers to upgrade and modernize the company’s processes and further improve its environmental footprint.

Koppers employs 80 in North Little Rock. It did not disclose the amount of new jobs it would add.

“When Koppers had the opportunity to invest in the future, we chose the dedicated workforce and exceptional community of North Little Rock,” said Chris Martin, plant manager of Koppers North Little Rock. “This is a place where people work hard, and we support each other.”

Koppers makes a variety of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals, and carbon compounds. Its products are used in the railroad, specialty chemical, utility, residential lumber, agriculture, aluminum, steel, rubber, and construction industries.

“I am very pleased by Koppers’ decision to grow its business in Arkansas,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “The North Little Rock facility has been an establishment for more than a century, and we are grateful that the company has chosen to continue this legacy by investing millions into the site. I am confident that the company’s entrepreneurship, combined with our pro-business environment, will contribute to the continued success of Koppers in Arkansas.”

Koppers, headquartered in Pittsburgh, has been in central Arkansas for more than 30 years. The North Little Rock facility, built in 1907, sits on 157 acres and currently employs approximately 80 people. It employs more than 2,100 worldwide.

The plant processes and treats more than 1.5 million wooden railroad crossties each year. The plant also produces switch ties, road crossings, and framed bridge timbers.

Koppers posted net income of $29.2 million on sales of $436.6 million in its most recent quarter ended June 30, 2020.