Central States Manufacturing to build Springdale plant

Tontitown-based Central States Manufacturing Inc., a distributor of metal building components, roofing and buildings, will build a 105,000-square-foot plant in Springdale. According to a Wednesday (Nov. 15) news release, it will provide more than $24 million in long-term economic investment to the community and result in 55 new jobs in 2025.

The new plant will support the company’s pre-engineered metal frame business. Groundbreaking for the plant is slated for 2 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 16) at Kendrick Avenue and Old Wire Road.

“We are pleased to announce the groundbreaking of our new plant in Springdale and the opportunities this creates for our employee-owners,” CEO Jim Sliker said. “This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering top-quality products and services to our customers. Further, we are announcing our newly-rebranded Central States Building Works business, which serves customers across the country with material-only packages for mini-storage and rigid metal building business.”

According to the release, the plant is expected to grow from 55 employees in 2025 to 140 employees after it implements a second shift. The plant’s technology will include state-of-the-art welding equipment and other advancements to improve productivity and efficiency.

“The advanced steel manufacturing processes this Central States Manufacturing facility will be using raises the profile of our city’s already-strong industrial sector,” Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said. “This project is a good example of Springdale’s commitment to job growth and minimizing unnecessary barriers to business expansion. Central States Manufacturing has chosen to grow in one of the region’s most active industrial areas. The city’s major road widening project to the south should further strengthen Central States Manufacturing’s growth potential as it serves the region’s construction needs.”

“Arkansas’ economy is booming, and with that comes new facilities, businesses, homes – and the manufacturing jobs that supply them all,” Gov. Sarah Sanders said. “I’m thankful for Central States Manufacturing’s continued commitment to Northwest Arkansas and their newest investment in their community.”

Founded in 1988, Central States Manufacturing has 11 manufacturing plants, with two factories under construction and more than 1,300 employees. The 100% employee-owned company has more than 6,000 commercial, architectural, post-frame and residential contractors and customers nationwide.

In 2022, revenue rose by 13.01% to $808 million from $715 million in 2021. Early this year, the company announced that it had acquired Storage Structures, a self-storage building subcontractor.