Manufacturing

Van Buren chamber, UAFS working to help Tyson workers

When news hit Monday (March 13) that Tyson Foods would close its chicken processing plant in Van Buren, folks in Fort Smith and Van Buren got busy working on how…

Federal Metal Co. to locate in North Little Rock; $17.8 million investment, 40 jobs

The Federal Metal Company, a maker of copper-based cast alloys, announced Thursday (March 16) it is expanding its footprint into North Little Rock. The company will build a new manufacturing…

Westrock Coffee posts $55 million annual loss as it positions for growth

Westrock Coffee Co. reported a growth in sales but a larger annual net loss as it positions itself for future growth in the domestic and international coffee and ready-to-drink market….

Tyson confirms 969 jobs to be lost in Van Buren; company pushes automation, faces lawsuits

The news hit like a freight train Monday (March 13) when Tyson Foods quietly announced the closure of its large chicken processing facility in Van Buren – a facility that…

Tyson Foods closing Van Buren plant, an estimated 600 jobs to be lost

Tyson Foods is closing poultry processing operations in Van Buren and in Glen Allen, Va., resulting in a loss of around 1,500 jobs. The Van Buren plant reportedly employs more…

Westrock Coffee moves to new LR headquarters

Westrock Coffee Co. announced Monday (March 6) it has moved its Little Rock headquarters to a new 50,000 square foot office, located at 4009 N. Rodney Parham Rd. Building 3….

Tyson Foods’ Green Forest plant implicated in child labor investigation

Springdale-based Tyson Foods and George’s Inc. were among the 13 companies found to have used Packer Sanitation Services who hired minority workers ages 13-17 working overnight shifts in plants around…

Tyson Foods seeks ‘upcycling’ startups for July demo event

Tyson Ventures is seeking applications for startups to take part in a July 11 investor demo day. Tyson Ventures is looking for startups that offer “upcycling” technology, which provides for…

Manufacturing activity fell in February, improves from January

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector fell in February for the fourth consecutive month, but the activity was not as weak as it was in January, according to the Institute…

Westrock Coffee acquires Bixby Roasting Co.

Westrock Coffee Co. announced Tuesday (Feb. 28) it has acquired Bixby Roasting Co., a specialty-grade roaster that is a leader in the emerging influencer-led brand space. The terms of the…

Owens Corning to add 50 jobs in Russellville

Owens Corning said it is expanding its presence in Russellville Monday (Feb. 27) and will add 50 new jobs in the area over the next two years. The Toledo-based building…

Canadian food ingredients company to establish U.S. office in Rogers

Pacific Ridge Corp. (PacRidge), a vertically integrated Canadian company focusing on regenerative farming using sonic milling and seed cleaning, is establishing a U.S. office in Northwest Arkansas. The privately owned startup…

Arkansas files suit after EPA rejects ozone plan

The state of Arkansas has filed suit against the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency after the EPA rejected Arkansas’ submission for complying with a rule pertaining to ozone emissions affecting…

Leaders explain how steel industry is transforming Mississippi County

U.S. Steel has existed for more than 120 years, and one reason is that the company has embraced technological advancement, Dan Brown, Senior Vice President of Advanced Technology Steelmaking and…

Ozark IC receives cash prizes, honors

Fayetteville-based electronics manufacturer Ozark Integrated Circuits Inc. (Ozark IC) recently announced three awards, $165,000 in cash prizes and $75,000 in vouchers. Founder and President Matt Francis said the recognition for…

Tyson officials talk legacy, financial future at company’s 60th annual meeting

Tyson Foods shareholders met in downtown Springdale Thursday morning (Feb. 9) to approve a short business agenda, defeat an outside shareholder proposal and elect a slate of 13 directors to…

Gov. Sanders creates workforce cabinet; names Tyson exec to lead

Gov. Sarah Sanders created the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet and appointed Tyson Foods’ Mike Rogers as chief workforce officer via executive order Thursday (Feb. 9). The cabinet will advise the governor…

Tyson Foods’ first fiscal quarter net income down more than 70%

Tyson Foods posted a net income of $316 million, or 88 cents a share, for the first fiscal quarter that ended Dec. 31. That was down more than 70% from…

Manufacturing, overall economy softens in January

Economic activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector moderated for the third consecutive month, while the overall economy contracted for the second month in a row in January, according to the…

Tyson shareholders to convene in Springdale, mark 88 years

Tyson Foods will hold its annual shareholder meeting at 10 a.m., Feb. 9 at the company’s offices on Emma Street in downtown Springdale. It is the company’s 88th year, dating…