GLENWOOD – Several members of the Southwest Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority (SWARIA) recently had the opportunity to get a closer look at the Great Southern Wood Preserving operation located in the Pike County, Arkansas city of Glenwood. Craig Grisham, General Manager, Great Southern Wood -Glenwood, explained his company’s operation at the facility and what the future may hold.
Great Southern, headquartered in Abbeyville, Alabama, bought the business from the Bean company in December 2007 and currently have 70 employees. Grisham said there are plans to expand in the near future. He outlined the current Glenwood operation:
• The mill currently ships 70 million feet a year of treated lumber
• They have a “reman” facility where they make additional products such as ballisters, pallets and crating
• They also distribute product lines such as Azek decking
• LP Building Products, such as I joist, Fortress nailing products, and Tando siding products
Grisham said, “The Glenwood mill has seen steady growth since acquiring the company from Bean in 2007 and are currently running two shifts consistently.” He added that Great Southern has 10 of their own trucks to help with product delivery.
The Southwest Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority is made up of representatives from 6 counties and 10 cities of southwest Arkansas. Board members are elected officials and business and community leaders that are dedicated to growing current business and bringing new business to the area. Our member area includes the following counties and cities of southwest Arkansas: Clark County, Dallas County, Hot Spring County, Montgomery County, Nevada County, and Pike County, along with Arkadelphia, Amity, Antoine, Caddo Valley, Delight, Glenwood, Gurdon, Malvern, Murfreesboro, and Rockport.
SWARIA was formed in February 2010, under Arkansas Act 690 of 1997, which allows cities and counties to acquire, equip, construct, and operate industrial parks that offer freight support services like warehouses and packaging and distribution facilities. Creation of this authority has the potential benefits of improving existing passenger and freight facilities, developing new transportation centers, and enhancing passenger and freight transportation modes by the formation of public/private partnerships.