Stephen Bell, president and CEO, Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Commission, Ethan King, global engineering and construction manager, SGL Carbon, Glenn Brady, plant manager, SGL Carbon Arkadelphia, Dr. Celya Taylor, chairman of the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County,
Clark County Judge Troy Tucker, Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley
Information courtesy Arkadelphia Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce
ARKADELPHIA – SGL Carbon, a provider of carbon-based solutions for automotives, aerostructures, and other sectors, today announced that it will expand its operations in Arkadelphia, Ark in order to ramp up its carbon composites production. The company plans to invest approximately $4.5 million at its existing facility and increase its workforce by 35 full-time employees within three years. Arkadelhia and Clark Counties are members of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority (SWARIA).
“Composite battery enclosures fit perfectly to the specific needs of modern e-car chassis,” Steve Swanson, Vice President of Operations at SGL Composites Inc., said. “Thus, with the ongoing enhancement of our Arkadelphia operations, we also support the great trend towards more e-mobility in the US. In addition, our facility produces a variety of carbon and glass fiber-reinforced products for a wide range of industrial applications within the automotive and aerospace industries as well as the energy sector.”
The company’s Arkadelphia facility currently produces a variety of carbon and glass fiber-reinforced products that have a wide range of industrial applications within the automotive and aerospace industries as well as the energy sector. SGL Carbon will expand its Arkadelphia operations by creating two new production lines in its Composites – Fibers and Materials (CFM) business unit. These new production lines will produce carbon composites to be used primarily in electric vehicles.“
SGL Carbon is not only a global leader and innovator, it is also a valued member of our state’s business community – a position it has held since it began production here in 1996,” Governor Asa Hutchinson said. “It’s a pleasure to congratulate the company for its continued investment in Arkadelphia. We look forward to many more years of partnership in the future.”
For decades, SGL Carbon has served as a leading producer of unique graphite and composite materials and manufacturer of products known for their versatile industrial applications. Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary and Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Mike Preston praised SGL Carbon’s decision to expand its Arkansas operations. “The strength of our workforce in southwest Arkansas, partnered with our low cost of doing business, makes Arkadelphia a prime location for SGL Carbon’s two newest production lines,” Secretary Preston said. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the company as it embarks on this new endeavor.”The project also received support from local community partners.“
The Economic Development Corporation of Clark County is pleased to partner with one of our local industries to promote job creation and expansion,” said EDCCC Chairman Celya Taylor. “This announcement shows our local tax dollars play an important role in encouraging job creation in Clark County.”
Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley said, “We are thrilled about the news that SGL will be adding new a product line and hiring additional employees. SGL’s corporate philosophy of partnering with their customers is the same philosophy we follow in Clark County, partnering with our industries for job retention and expansion. The soundness of the Arkadelphia workforce coupled with the quality of life we enjoy in southwest Arkansas is truly a win-win scenario for everyone.”
County Judge Troy Tucker said, “We are excited about the future expansion of SGL Carbon in Clark County and with the future possibilities of this company.”
The company anticipates that the new production lines will be fully operational by the end of 2021.