G&H Decoys to create 77 jobs in Corning

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

G&H Decoys has relocated its headquarters and manufacturing operations to Corning, Ark., with plans to create 77 new jobs in the region. The company is investing more than $2.1 million to relocate and establish its new manufacturing facility in Arkansas.

A timetable for full employment has not been released. A hiring fair will be held in Corning Wednesday (Oct. 2). Production at the facility is projected to start Oct. 14. Jobs will include production technicians, painters, warehouse workers, office staff and sales roles.

The company was previously headquartered in Henryetta, Okla.

“When Rob Hansen approached me about the idea of taking on G&H Decoys, we decided early on that if we weren’t doing it to change people’s lives – ours, our employees, and the communities – then it wasn’t for us,” said Brent Sawyer, general manager and chief financial officer of G&H Decoys. “We wanted to be part of something spectacular, but we also wanted to be an outlet for lifestyle improvement within Northeast Arkansas. We believe in American-made products, and we believe in the American worker. Arkansas has a long history of pride and excellence both in manufacturing and in waterfowl hunting. We are excited to fire up operations in Corning because we know we are in good company.”

G&H Decoys to create 77 jobs in Corning

Lockheed Martin plans to open facility in Fort Smith, employ up to 90

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Defense industry giant Lockheed Martin is the first known company with plans to locate a facility in Fort Smith to support the foreign pilot training center being established at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

The Bethesda, Md.-based company has scheduled a “recruiting event” between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., April 16, at the Wyndham Fort Smith City Center in downtown Fort Smith. According to information from Lockheed, Keith Petrosky, director of Talent Acquisition with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, will host the event.

According to Lockheed, the planned support site will employ up to 90 in jobs that include aircraft and support systems, information tech, quality and safety support, and F-35 maintenance. The company manufactures the F-35 advanced fighter jet.

Lockheed Martin plans to open facility in Fort Smith, employ up to 90

F-35 fighter jet

After Meeting with Governor Sanders During Her European Trade Mission, Walther Manufacturing Announces $30M Expansion in Fort Smith, Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Following the company’s meeting with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders during her European trade mission this summer, Walther Manufacturing is expanding its presence in Fort Smith, Arkansas, creating an expected 76 new jobs over the next five years. The expansion represents a capital investment of up to $30 million in the region. 

“Walther Manufacturing is making a substantial investment in our Fort Smith factory to facilitate the expansion of our research development and manufacturing of U.S.-produced firearms and accessories,” said Tom Goike, Walther Manufacturing President and CEO. 

Currently, Umarex USA/Walther occupies 185,000 square feet in their facility. The expansion adds over 40,000 square feet to the existing operation, encompassing industry-leading design engineering, product management and manufacturing capabilities. The expansion is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024. 

“Arkansas is proud to be home to Walther U.S. headquarters, both because we love jobs and because we love our Second Amendment. After meeting with the company during my European trade mission this summer, I’m thrilled they’ve decided to double down on their investment and grow their facility here in the Natural State, helping Fort Smith and the entire River Valley grow,” said Governor Sanders. 

“Walther is a world-renowned firearms company, and they have been a great corporate partner in Arkansas for the past decade,” said Clint O’Neal, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “We are excited to see the company grow in the Natural State, and we look forward to their continued success.” 

Walther established its operations in Arkansas in 2012, making Fort Smith its U.S. headquarters. Walther Manufacturing is the fabrication entity which manufactures all U.S. based products for the companies Walther and Umarex USA, utilizing a unique blend of advanced precision technology and authentic human craftsmanship. All three companies share a campus in Fort Smith. 

“My connection to Umarex and Walther goes back many years. They are a key fixture in the high-tech manufacturing fabric of the Fort Smith Region and a partner who shares our goal of growing and recruiting a talented workforce,” said Tim Allen, President and CEO of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. “It was a pleasure to work with the leadership at Walther again to secure this project in Fort Smith. We welcome Walther’s expansion as they further solidify their place in our community and allow it to meet the demand of its military, law enforcement and consumer markets.” 

Umarex to expand Fort Smith operation, add 76 jobs

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Umarex USA/Walther plans to invest $30 million in its Fort Smith operation at Chaffee Crossing and add 76 jobs. Of the investment, an estimated $8 million will be used to expand the facility and $22 million will be used to acquire machinery and equipment.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Thursday (Jan. 18) approved an Industrial Revenue Bond for the company to use to help finance the expansion.

“This is a great thing for the City of Fort Smith,” said Fort Smith Director Kevin Settle. “It gives me great excitement. Maybe somewhere down the road, we can work with the Fort Smith Police Department to switch to Walther Guns.”

Umarex to expand Fort Smith operation, add 76 jobs

Hope Baking Co. to expand, add 266 new jobs

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Hope Baking Co. is investing more than $37 million to expand its food manufacturing facility in Hope. The expansion is expected to create 266 new jobs over two years.

“Hope Baking Company is excited to be reinvigorating the operation of the bakery and equipment located in Hope, Arkansas and looks forward to steady expansion of its employment count,” said Dan Serra, owner of Hope Baking Co.

Hope Baking Company is a division of East Baking Company, which acquired Southern Bakeries in March 2023. Since the acquisition, the company has expanded the facility adding a new production line.

Hope Baking Co. to expand, add 266 new jobs

Sig Sauer investing $150 million in Jacksonville facility, adding 625 new jobs

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

SIG SAUER, a firearms and ammunition manufacturer, will expand its manufacturing facility in Jacksonville. This expansion is expected to create 625 new jobs over the next five years.

“We are incredibly excited about expanding our ammunition operations here in Jacksonville and building upon years of success in Arkansas. This opportunity has proven itself essential to the growth and sustainment of our ammunition business, and further enforces our commitment to the Arkansas community and workforce,” said Ron Cohen, SIG SAUER president and CEO.

SIG SAUER will invest $150 million to expand its Jacksonville facility. The company will be investing in component hybrid case manufacturing, primer manufacturing, and load/pack operations to support multiple contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. As part of the expansion, SIG SAUER will be developing a new 250,000-square-foot building to house parts of its manufacturing processes.

Sig Sauer investing $150 million in Jacksonville facility, adding 625 new jobs

300 jobs expected at NLR Dollar General distribution facility

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Dollar General announced last July that it would build a $140 million warehouse distribution center in North Little Rock, confirming on Wednesday (Aug. 9) it expects to employ 300 workers locally.

Dollar General CEO Jeff Owen joined Little Rock and North Little Rock economic leaders and Gov. Sarah Sanders to make the announcement.

Owen said the facility in North Little Rock would be operational next year. When it was first announced a year ago, Dollar General also unveiled plans for major distribution hubs in Colorado and Oregon as part of a $480 million expansion.

Owen said Dollar General employs 4,700 Arkansans in 550 stores across the state.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/08/300-jobs-expected-at-nlr-dollar-general-distribution-facility/