Engines Inc.

Cameron Wofford cleaned the offices and bathrooms at his family-owned business, Engines Inc., was in high school. Years later he worked his way into the parts department and continued to work his way up the administrative ladder. By 2011, he decided that at some point he wanted to run the company.

He spent years working under the tutelage of his mother, Linda Wofford, who was the company president for years. He worked as a general manager and vice president. As his mother transitioned into retirement, he worked as the acting president. He was recently named president at Engines.

“It’s something I made an active decision about,” he said. “I wanted to be here.”

Founded by Lloyd and Tommy Wofford, the company packages diesel and spark-ignited power products serving the OEM, marine, agriculture, and industrial markets. Engines has more than 700 package designs from which its customers can select, Wofford said.

“We are a fourth-generation family-owned business, established in 1979 with a history dating back to 1935 in the John Deere implement business,” according to the company.

Brands utilized by the company include John Deere, Yanmar, Kohler, and Ford. Those companies will provide an engine and Engines completely customizes it for product and function. A lot of testing and engineering goes into their products, Wofford said.

The industry is constantly changing as upgrades in technology continue. One tool the company uses is 3D modeling.

“Our utilization of 3D solid modeling software enables rapid and efficient design and inspection of complex packaging, leading to cost reduction and improved quality. Working in a 3D design environment also allows our engineers and customers to better visualize the end product,” the company notes.

Many people think they build engines, but that’s not the case Wofford said. The company adds the assembly pieces to the engines.

The main production facility is located in Jonesboro and consists of a climate-controlled 117,000 square-foot area for parts, shipping, receiving, production, and office space.

In addition to that facility, the company has a 54,000-square-foot technology center where its engineering staff and technicians design, test and prototype engine packages and a 120,000-square-foot warehouse that contains engine inventory.

Engines has 102 employees, which includes more than 30 engineers. The company’s primary sales territories include the Mid-South, Mexico and Central America. Wofford said it doesn’t stop there.

“We sell engines that go all over the world,” he said.

Editor’s note: This company is a finalist for the Northeast Arkansas Outstanding Business Awards — Large Business category. Winners will be announced at a luncheon on April 15. Contact Rob Gutterridge at rgutterridge@nwabj.com for tickets.