Electrical substation manufacturer locating in North Little Rock

CEP USA Inc., a manufacturer of prefabricated electrical substations, has located its first U.S. manufacturing facility in North Little Rock.

The company is investing nearly $1 million in the facility and expects to create approximately 27 new jobs over the next five years. This project was developed in partnership by the Little Rock Regional Chamber and Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

“CEP is proud to deepen our partnership with SMA as we bring MVPS integration to the United States,” said Mario Melodia, CEO of CEP. “This investment positions us to support faster delivery, provide local expertise, and meet the growing demands of utility-scale projects across the country. Arkansas has proven to be an excellent choice. Our long-standing relationship with our partner Mountain Ridge Energy Service, the state’s strategic location, and its welcoming environment—along with the strong support from the Arkansas Economic Development Center and the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce—have made our transition and initial months of production a success.”

Company executives joined local officials, community stakeholders, and partners, Tuesday (May 19) for the grand opening of the new CEP USA facility, located at 9401 Diamond Drive in North Little Rock.

“CEP choosing Arkansas as the home of their first U.S. manufacturing facility proves that there truly is no better place to live, work, or raise a family than the Natural State,” said Gov. Sarah Sanders. “With our low cost of living and capable workforce, CEP USA will have access to the tools it needs to grow and deliver solutions for people and businesses across the country. To Mario and the entire team at CEP, thank you for investing in our state, and welcome to Arkansas.”

CEP is a leading Italian company in the design, construction, and turnkey delivery of prefabricated substations. With more than 30 years of experience, CEP has expanded its reach to deliver global solutions to over 80 countries.

CEP’s highly specialized workforce brings comprehensive expertise across every component of a substation cabinet. All parts can be produced in-house, from enclosures to electromechanical equipment such as medium-voltage and low-voltage switchgear, all certified to meet international quality and safety standards.

“The United States is one of the most dynamic energy markets in the world, and our customers expect speed, reliability and strong local support,” said Florian Bechtold, executive vice president of large scale for SMA Solar. “By expanding our integration capabilities with CEP, we are translating SMA’s global engineering strength into local execution that shortens timelines, strengthens supply chains and delivers fully integrated MVPS solutions closer to the project site.”

In total, the facility will have approximately 27 employees, which includes employees from Mountain Ridge Energy Service (MRES) of Conway. Mountain Ridge Energy Service will partner with CEP USA on the company’s manufacturing operations. MRES is a family and veteran-owned business focused on providing training, inverter repair, and maintenance services for the solar industry.

“International companies are thriving across Arkansas, and CEP is positioned to join them with its new manufacturing facility in North Little Rock,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “CEP is partnering with SMA and Mountain Ridge Energy Service on this project, and we are excited to see this collaboration that has led to new investment in Central Arkansas. This facility represents a win for all the companies involved, the City of North Little Rock, and the State of Arkansas.”