Manufacturing

Wayne Britt, former Tyson Foods CEO, dies

Former Tyson Foods CEO (Luther) Wayne Britt of Fayetteville, age 75, died on March 14, 2025 at the Willard Walker Hospice Home. Britt graduated from Nashville High School in 1967…

LR Port achieves Entergy Arkansas ‘Select Site’ certification for 875-acre megasite

The Little Rock Regional Chamber and Entergy Arkansas announced Friday (March 7) the completion of its Select Site certification for a new 875-acre industrial megasite located on the southeastern portion…

Report finds that most consumers are concerned about tariff impacts

International trade dominates headlines thanks to sweeping tariffs imposed Tuesday (March 4) by the Trump administration on most or all imports from Canada, China, and Mexico (25%). The tariffs are…

The Supply Side: Slatkin + Co. products land in Walmart

Harry Slatkin needs no introduction in retail. He and his wife, Laura, brought candles and the home fragrance category to life more than three decades ago after leaving jobs on…

US GDP up 2.3% in the fourth quarter second estimate, up 2.8% in 2024

The U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) rose 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, below 3.1% in the third quarter of 2024, according to the second estimate reported Thursday…

Tyson Foods tightens its management circle

Tyson Foods has given two top executives expanded roles, according to a Tuesday (Feb. 25) filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Springdale-based meat giant named Devin Cole…

Rocket motor company breaks ground in Camden on four plants

L3Harris Technologies began construction Thursday (Feb. 20) on four new solid rocket motor production facilities at the company’s Camden site in south Arkansas. The expansion is part of a $215.6…

Key Tronic to invest $28 million into Springdale site, add more than 400 jobs

Spokane Valley, Wash.-based electronics manufacturer Key Tronic Corp. will invest $28 million to relocate its Fayetteville plant to a 290,540-square-foot industrial building at 601 W. Apple Blossom Road in Springdale,…

State of the State 2025: Energy, workforce among top issues for manufacturing sector

Energy and workforce availability, higher costs, and global uncertainty primarily related to tariffs and trade wars are on the minds of U.S. and Arkansas manufacturing industry executives as they navigate…

Canoo can’t stay afloat, files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

It was an ignominious ending for Canoo Inc., the electric vehicle manufacturer that once eyed Northwest Arkansas for operations and a corporate headquarters. In mid-January, Canoo filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy,…

NRF: Tariffs likely to keep import cargo levels elevated

A new report indicates that import levels at the nation’s major container ports are expected to remain high as retailers continue to bring in cargo ahead of announced tariffs on…

Collection of economic incentives aims to help Arkansas

A plethora of bills aimed at improving Arkansas’ economic development incentives is in the process of being filed and debated at the state Capitol. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC)…

Tyson Foods meeting marks 90 years, elects slate of directors

Tyson Foods used Thursday’s (Feb. 6) shareholders meeting to mark 90 years as a company since its humble beginnings in 1935 when founder John W. Tyson primarily sold chickens in…

Cargill job losses may not be easy for Northwest Arkansas economy to absorb

More than 10% of jobs in the Northwest Arkansas animal processing sector will be lost when Cargill’s Springdale plant closes in August. With few similar job openings in Northwest Arkansas,…

Tyson Foods quarterly net income beats estimates, revenue up 2.3%

Springdale-based Tyson Foods on Monday (Feb. 3) reported net income of $359 million, well above $107 million a year ago. On an adjusted basis, the company reported net income at…

Forecast: Tariffs, housing costs present downside risks to national, state economies

On the same day significant and disruptive tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico were announced by President Donald Trump, economists spoke at a business luncheon in Rogers about the health…

ArcBest 2024 net income down 11%, revenue dips 5.6%

Higher input costs and a “prolonged” weakness in the manufacturing sector pushed fourth quarter net income down more than 40% at Fort Smith-based ArcBest. However, quarterly earnings per share of…

Tyson Foods expected to report healthy gains in quarterly net income

Tyson Foods is expected on Monday (Feb. 3) to post first fiscal quarter net income of $313.44 million, with earnings per share of 88 cents, up 27.5% from the 69…

Study: Top metros have robust AI, manufacturing, tourism, energy sectors

A new Heartland Forward study shows the country’s most dynamic metro areas are strong in artificial intelligence (AI) investments, advanced manufacturing, tourism, and energy sources. Most Arkansas metros fell in…

Tenneco job losses in Paragould to be fewer than initially reported

The number of full-time Tenneco employees who will lose their jobs when its plant in Paragould shutters its operations later this spring will be lower than initially reported. The company…