Hytrol To Expand Jonesboro Location

A company with nearly 70 years of work in Jonesboro announced plans Thursday to expand its facility on Arkansas 18, company officials said.

Hytrol Conveyor Co., Inc. announced the $12 million expansion is set to be completed by early 2016, Chris Glenn, Hytrol Vice President of Manufacturing and Engineering Operations said.

The project includes a 62,000 square foot expansion of Hytrol’s manufacturing facility, including a new paint system, lasers, brake presses, and computerized numerical control (CNC) equipment.

At least 36 new permanent positions will be created as a result of the expansion, Glenn said.

The company had a record year in sales in 2014, and expects to see that number grow in 2015.

“We’re trying to support the tremendous growth that we’ve seen recently, and to lay the groundwork for our future growth as well,” Glenn said. “We will be breaking ground in the next week or two and we’ve already begun hiring new employees.”

More than 800 people work at the Jonesboro location.

The building expansion is expected to be completed in eight months, with the paint system completion date set for 2 months after that.

The parking lot will also be expanded, with 100 more spaces added so that shifts can work seamlessly back-to-back.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., toured the Hytrol plant April 8 and met with company officials.

Company president Gregg Goodner told Boozman that the company makes conveyors and other equipment for companies like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s and Fed Ex.

Glenn also told Boozman that the company has worked to attract both engineers and welders to work at the Jonesboro location.

The company donated $200,000 earlier this year to the Arkansas State University College of Engineering to help educate engineers.

Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce president Mark Young said the expansion is big for a company that has been a mainstay in Northeast Arkansas for many years.

“It is great news and we are appreciative of their continued investment in our community,” Young said.

Company officials said more details about the expansion would be released in the next few weeks.