Anchor Packaging breaks ground on $21.5 million expansion in Paragould

Anchor Packaging broke ground Tuesday (March 2) on a $21.5 million expansion at its Paragould facility that is expected to create 45 news jobs. The expansion will add 90,000 square feet to Anchor’s foodservice packaging manufacturing plant in northeast Arkansas.

The company said it would add the new jobs over the next 30 months.

“Anchor’s packaging is just one more way Arkansas touches lives all over the United States,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “Most Americans probably don’t know they take their take-out restaurant food home in a container made in the Natural State. Since 1987, when Anchor opened its first facility in Marmaduke, the company has been a world-class member of our business community. Anchor’s decision to expand in Paragould gives us another opportunity to spread the news that Arkansas’s workforce is first-rate, our business climate is second to none, and Arkansas businesses make life better for millions of people.”

Since opening its first Arkansas production plant in 1985, Anchor has continued its rapid growth into multiple locations with several new product line expansions. Anchor employs more than 1,000 people and operates two million square feet of production and distribution across six facilities in Paragould, Marmaduke, and Jonesboro.

“Anchor Packaging has a rich 58-year history protecting food, including moving its manufacturing operations to Northeast Arkansas communities over 35 years ago. I am proud to say we have never had a layoff. Re-investing in the region comes naturally as we have outstanding employees, many second and third generation, coupled with an ever-growing business focused on sustainable food packaging solutions,” said Jeff Wolff, CEO and President, Anchor Packaging.

Founded in 1963, Anchor Packaging LLC is one of North America’s largest thermoformers and is best-known for its award-winning product designs and custom package capabilities.

Restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores use Anchor Packaging’s products to serve the growing consumer demand for takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery of prepared meals.