Poultry operator adding 290 jobs in Little Rock with $10 million investment
by May 24, 2021 10:34 am 3,708 views
Arkansas-based Custom Craft Poultry is opening a new poultry processing plant in Little Rock, the company announced Monday (May 24).
The company has repurposed the former Odom’s Tennessee Pride sausage plant on Asher Avenue and invested nearly $10 million in the project. It is expected to create 290 new jobs.
Custom Craft Poultry has operations in Batesville and maintains its corporate office in Fayetteville.
“We are very proud of our facility in Batesville and look forward to the additional opportunities that Little Rock holds for team members and customers,” CEO Randell Smith said. “We are focused on providing the same quality and service our customers have grown to expect from our company. It will also provide a great employment opportunity for the people of Little Rock and surrounding areas.”
Custom Craft Poultry has been Arkansas-owned and operated since 2015 and specializes in high-quality fresh and frozen poultry products. Its Batesville site currently produces approximately 60 million pounds of poultry each year.
“It is always a great day when we see our homegrown businesses expand thanks to the hard work and dedication of their employees,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson. “I’m pleased to welcome Custom Craft to Little Rock and wish them well in the future.”
With the expansion’s 290 new jobs, Custom Craft Poultry says it will employ nearly 500 workers in state.
The company’s new location in Little Rock will focus primarily on fresh chicken for food service and further processing.
“We welcome Custom Craft Poultry as the newest member of Little Rock’s vibrant business community,” Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said. “They’re bringing high-quality jobs to an area of our City that needs more employment opportunity and repurposing an empty facility that will have a big impact on our effort to revitalize the Asher Avenue corridor. I am grateful for their investment and their friendship, and I look forward to working together to ensure the company’s success in Little Rock.”