Gov. Asa Hutchinson at Emerson’s Ash Flat facility (Photo courtesy of Lang Zimmerman)
ASH FLAT, Ark., July 29, 2022 – Joined by Arkansas state and local officials on Friday, Emerson (NYSE: EMR) celebrated the official opening of its 277,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Ash Flat. Emerson has made a $35 million investment to transform the existing underutilized industrial structure into a modern manufacturing plant for its professional tools business, with a primary focus on producing Greenlee® specialty tools and related products for electrical tradespeople across North America.
Emerson currently has more than 150 employees working at the facility and plans to grow the operations, with a goal of creating up to 285 total jobs at the site over the next four years.
“Today is the culmination of the strong partnerships we have forged over the past two years with local, state, and federal organizations, and we deeply appreciate their support,” said Craig Sumner, president of Emerson’s professional tools business. “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.”
The Ash Flat location was selected by Emerson in 2020 for the quality workforce available in the area and its close proximity to the company’s Memphis distribution center which will allow for reduced lead times for shipping of products and materials, improvements in customer service, and opportunities for growth while achieving operational excellence.
The project received critical support from local, state, and federal partners, including Governor Asa Hutchison’s office, Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), Delta Regional Authority (DRA), Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority, the City of Ash Flat, Sharp County, and many others.
“Emerson has honored Arkansas by returning to the state and selecting Ash Flat for its expansion and new facility,” said Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. “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.”
“Arkansas continues to be one of the most financially sound states in the country,” said Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. “Our diversified economy and business-friendly policies kept our state open for business and we continue to see the results of those decisions as Emerson and similar companies have been able to invest in our state and create more jobs for hardworking Arkansans.”
Recruitment and hiring for various positions and production shifts is ongoing as the facility expands production, including for assemblers, welders, and CNC machine operators. Emerson has 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. For current job openings, visit emerson.com/en[1]us/careers and search “Ash Flat.”
The new facility design and renovation promote environmental sustainability with a compact building footprint, installation of water-saving devices, use of energy-efficient LED lighting, and energy-efficient variable speed compressors that power the HVAC system. Besides the manufacturing shop floor, the facility renovation also includes offices and a cafeteria.
Emerson’s professional tools business includes the Greenlee®, RIDGID®, and Klauke® brands which provide the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades globally. For more information, visit emerson.com/professionaltools.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global technology and software company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and residential markets. Our Automation Solutions business helps process, hybrid and discrete manufacturers maximize production, protect personnel and the environment while optimizing their energy and operating costs. Our Commercial & Residential Solutions business helps ensure human comfort and health, protect food quality and safety, advance energy efficiency, and create sustainable infrastructure. For more information, visit Emerson.com.
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