Joined by Arkansas state and local officials, technology and software company Emerson celebrated the official opening of its 277,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Ash Flat on Aug. 1.
Emerson has made a $35 million investment to transform an existing industrial structure into a modern manufacturing plant for its professional tools business. The Ash Flat location was selected in 2020 for the quality workforce available in the area and its proximity to the company’s Memphis distribution center.
“We are looking forward to establishing strong ties here in the Ash Flat community and taking a leadership role in developing the next generation of skilled manufacturing workers in Arkansas,” said Craig Sumner, president of Emerson’s professional tools business.
The project received support from local, state, and federal partners, including Governor Asa Hutchinson’s office, Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), Delta Regional Authority (DRA), Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority, the City of Ash Flat, and Sharp County, among others.
“With our state’s dedicated workforce and low costs of doing business, Emerson is proof that Arkansas has the tools in place to take new and expanding companies into their next phases of growth,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson.
There are currently more than 150 employees working at the facility, with a goal of creating up to 285 total jobs at the site over the next four years. Recruitment and hiring for various positions and shifts is ongoing, including for assemblers, welders, and CNC machine operators.
The company has also collaborated with Ozarka College in Melbourne on the development of workforce training programs to prepare students who want to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing and to enhance the skills of workers at the plant.
Headquartered in St. Louis, Emerson provides services for a number of industrial, commercial, and residential customers all over the world.
Current job openings can be found here, and more information about Emerson can be found on the company’s website.
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