Manufacturing

Tenaris to hire 250 new workers

A rebounding economy has led one Northeast Arkansas employer to expand its workforce. Tenaris has announced plans to hire 250 more workers at its welded mill in Hickman. A timetable…

Batesville’s Intimidator Group acquired by Toro Company for $400 million

The Toro Company announced Friday (Jan. 14) it acquired privately-held Intimidator Group, based in Batesville, Arkansas, in a deal valued at $400 million. The Intimidator Group designs and manufactures Spartan…

NEA leaders want $3 billion steel mill to build population back

During the 1990s one of the most prosperous counties in Northeast Arkansas took a deep plunge. Eaker Air Force Base closed in Blytheville and throughout the decade 9,000 jobs, mostly…

In post-retirement, Wayne Mays still focused on economic development

After 13 years, Wayne Mays retired as head of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce at the end of 2019. Mays’ post-retirement career still focuses on economic development, but it’s…

Governor: $3 billion steel plant will help Arkansas attract auto manufacturer

The announcement by U.S. Steel that it will build a $3 billion plant in Osceola will make Mississippi County the nation’s leading steel-producing county and sets the stage for Arkansas…

U.S. Steel to locate $3 billion steel mill in Northeast Arkansas

When Big River Steel first started operations near Osceola in Mississippi County in 2014, it was one of the largest industrial projects ever in the state of Arkansas. BRS, now…

Simmons Foods to expand Van Buren plant, add 100 jobs

Siloam Springs-based Simmons Foods on Thursday (Jan. 6) announced plans to invest $100 million in its prepared foods plant in Van Buren. Company officials said the upgrade will add 100…

Manufacturing sector grew at slower rate in December

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector rose in December but at a slower rate than in November, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The ISM released Tuesday (Jan….

Tyson Foods’ top execs see higher pay in 2021; board shrinks to 13

Three of the top five earning executives at Tyson Foods received salary raises in 2021 largely because of increased duties. The company’s overall financial performance, against which executive salaries are…

Tyson Foods to provide subsidized child care in new Tennessee plant

Springdale-based Tyson Foods said Tuesday (Dec. 21) it plans to build an on-site childcare and learning facility at its new Humboldt, Tenn., poultry processing plant. This comes on the heels…

Westrock Coffee expanding to Conway; will add operations in North Carolina and Malaysia

Arkansas-based Westrock Coffee Co. announced Thursday (Dec. 16) it would expand operations with a facility in Conway. When fully built, the plant will be the largest facility of its type…

ISM: Manufacturers expect revenues to rise in 2022, from 2021

The manufacturing sector is expected to continue to grow in 2022, but the growth is expected to moderate in the second half of the year as it accelerates in the…

Two veteran Tyson execs join Beyond Meat

Doug Ramsey and Bernie Adcock, who put in a combined 61 years at Tyson Foods, have left the company to take executive positions at Beyond Meat. Beyond Meat is aggressively…

Tyson Foods outlines 3-year growth plan that includes plants in Asia

Tyson Foods is bullish on opportunities to grow revenue and record net income of $8 per share through 2024. The Springdale-based meat giant held its annual investor conference on Thursday…

Riceland Foods to add 80 new jobs with $13.2 million operations expansion

Riceland Foods announced Wednesday (Dec. 8) it will add 80 new jobs and expand its operations in Stuttgart and Jonesboro with a $13.2 million investment. The majority of the expansion…

Legislators move tax cut bills quickly to floor; reveal incentive package for $3 billion steel project

Arkansas lawmakers went straight to work on Tuesday (Dec. 7) in their special session to deal with income tax cuts, and State Senators showed little interest in expanding the scope…

Tyson Foods to pay about $50 million in year-end bonuses to hourly workers

Pay is one of the top worker complaints with food processors like Tyson Foods. The Springdale-based meat protein giant on Monday (Dec. 6) announced around $50 million in year-end bonus…

Lowell manufacturer supporting Wreaths Across America

Lowell-based Central States Manufacturing Inc. will sponsor more than 1,600 wreaths to place on headstones of military veterans for Wreaths Across America. According to a company news release, Central States…

Manufacturing sector expanded more quickly in November

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector increased at a faster rate in November, from October, as pandemic-related issues continued to limit production growth, according to the Institute for Supply Management…

Tyson Foods records 47% gain in fiscal year net income

Tyson Foods delivered better-than-expected earnings for its fiscal fourth-quarter. The Springdale-based meat giant reported net income of $1.355 billion in the quarter ending Oct 2, up from $654 million reported…