Manufacturing

Gov. Hutchinson attends Rage Fabrications opening in Trumann

About three years ago Ronnie Samuel’s son was searching for a bumper for his ATV. When Samuel saw what was on the market, he told his son they could make…

Arkansas manufacturing sector adds 1,200 jobs in May, jobless rate remains at 3.8%

Arkansas’ manufacturing sector continued to outperform most of the state’s economy in 2018 as another 1,200 jobs were added at mostly “soft good” factories across the state between May and…

Glatfelter provides public a view of $90 million investment in Fort Smith plant

It took a little longer than they expected and cost a little more than planned, but Glatfelter officials publicly opened their new $90 million manufacturing operation in Fort Smith with…

Risever breaks ground on $20 million Jonesboro plant

Hefei Risever Machinery (Risever), a Chinese-based heavy equipment parts manufacturer broke ground on a $20 million facility in Jonesboro on Friday (June 15). The plant will be located in the…

Walmart green lights 100 new products during Open Call

Cass and Estelle Rowland drove their 40-foot motorhome 20-plus hours from Thorndale, Penn., to Bentonville and slept in Walmart’s Home Office parking lot Tuesday night (June 12). They did not…

Tyson to open technology center in downtown Springdale, create a technology hub

Springdale-based meat giant Tyson Foods will continue to invest into downtown Springdale after CEO Tom Hayes announced plans to build a manufacturing and automation technology center, southwest of the company’s…

‘High-quality prospects’ interested in space in former Whirlpool plant in Fort Smith

Part of the more than $3.65 million in ongoing work by Phoenix Investors to further renovate the former Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Fort Smith could make way for a warehouse/distribution…

Walmart continues manufacturing mantra with Open Call, pushes private brand deals

Warren Brown of Virginia and Casey Millspaugh of Fort Smith were among the more than 450 business owners welcomed by Walmart to its Bentonville home office Wednesday (June 13) for…

Hundreds of entrepreneurs, innovators land in Bentonville for Walmart’s ‘Open Call’

More than 450 hopeful entrepreneurs began streaming into Bentonville on Tuesday (June 12) from 46 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia for Walmart’s “Open Call.” This year, Walmart…

Purchasing Managers Index up again in May

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) has released its monthly Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for May, and the story told is another positive one with the PMI at 58.7% —…

Applied Process Fort Smith facility approved for ‘tax back’ program

On Tuesday (June 5), the Fort Smith Board of Directors approved a resolution supporting Applied Process Fort Smith, LLC’s entry into the state “Tax Back” program authorized by the Consolidated…

Tyson Foods gets ‘Smart Chicken’ brand in acquisition of Tecumseh Poultry

The Tyson Foods buying spree continues. The Springdale-based company announced Monday (June 4) the acquisition of Tecumseh Poultry, a company that touts its humane methods of processing all organic “Smart…

Tyson finds buyer for Sara Lee, Van’s bakery businesses

Tyson Foods has agreed to sell its Sara Lee Frozen Bakery and Van’s businesses to private equity firm Kohlberg & Company. The sale includes the Chef Pierre, Bistro Collection and Van’s brands, and a license to use…

Gov. Hutchinson, Arkansas industry officials concerned about new Trump trade tariffs

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and other Arkansas trade officials awoke Friday (June 1) to fears of a possible international trade war after President Donald Trump moved forward Thursday with his threat…

$12 million expansion begins on Intimidator campus in Batesville

Officials with Intimidator Inc. announced in 2016 plans to expand its Batesville manufacturing operations and create 400 new jobs by 2021. On Wednesday (May 30), company officials and guests ceremonially…

Gov. Hutchinson recognizes Arkansas companies for global trade excellence

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Wednesday (May 30) the award winners for the 9th annual Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Global Trade. The awards luncheon, organized by the Arkansas District Export Council (ArDEC),…

Steelworkers union boss says Trump administration ‘weak-kneed’ on China

In a new takedown of trade negotiations with China, United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard chastised the administration of President Donald Trump for not backing up its talk on China….

Manufacturing group survey shows wage, hiring increases

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), in a new survey of its members, found that hiring, wages, and investment were on the rise. The survey indicates the improvements are as…

Calstrip to invest $15 million in processing facility on the Nucor campus at Hickman

Calstrip Industries will build a new processing facility on the Nucor Inc. campus in Hickman. Construction will begin during the second quarter of 2018. The initial construction will be more…

Record growth through 2019 predicted by Tyson Foods boss despite rising costs

Tyson Foods President and CEO Tom Hayes said while the company’s raw material costs will fluctuate the mission to achieve volume growth, margin expansion, more unit sales and year-over-year earnings…