W&W|AFCO Steel announced Wednesday it will be locating a new steel fabrication facility in the former LM Wind Power building at the Port of Little Rock, adding 115 full-time jobs over five years and a $18.7 million investment to the company’s operations throughout the state. W&W|AFCO Steel currently has four other locations in Arkansas, including three in Little Rock.
The Port of Little Rock location will allow W&W|AFCO Steel to expand their production of fabricated structural steel used in bridges and commercial buildings.
“W&W|AFCO Steel is proud to announce this expansion in Little Rock,” said company President and COO Grady Harvell. “Our bridge operations are headquartered in Little Rock and we are happy to seize the opportunity to make a productive plant out of this vacant building. The new facility will enhance our ability to continue providing competitive steel bridges to the state of Arkansas and the region as well as increase our production capacity for steel building products. We are happy to partner with AEDC, Little Rock and the Little Rock Port Authority in this expansion.”
Founded in Little Rock in 1909, family-owned AFCO Steel was sold in 2002 to W&W Steel of Oklahoma City where it is now headquartered. Today, W&W|AFCO Steel is the largest structural steel fabricator and erector in the United States, with 18 production facilities in 11 states.
“W&W|AFCO Steel is a valuable community partner that understands Little Rock is a great place to expand its operations,” said Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. “With its central location and access to multiple modes of transportation, the Port of Little Rock is the best location in the country to grow a business. We’re excited to see more than 100 new jobs come to the city as we continue growing forward with our economic development efforts.”
The company’s steel has been used in projects such as the Tesla Gigafactory in Sparks, Nev.; AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex.; the Boeing 777X Composite Wing facility in Everett, Wash.; the National September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York and the Big Rock Interchange in Little Rock.
“Nearly 60 years ago AFCO Steel was one of the first businesses to operate at the Port of Little Rock,” said Port Authority Chairman Joe Bailey. “Today’s announcement brings the company full circle, and we look forward to supporting W&W|AFCO Steel as they expand and continue to grow at the Port.”
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