Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

CCIC helping in Alumacraft expansion

Brown Hardman, Clark County Industrial Council President, reported more good news for Clark County recently.

In the next 60 days, he said, Alumacraft Boat Co. of Arkadelphia will begin a 12,500 square-foot expansion to the plant.

The CCIC has been working with Alumacraft on an application to Advantage Arkansas. Through Advantage Arkansas's incentive program, Alumacraft could qualify for a tax credit for increasing employment.

"We are just completely out of room," said Michael Thurman, director of manufacturing and engineering. "We cannot build any more products without more space."

Thurman said that in the past 11 months, sales at Alumacraft, which manufactures aluminum boats, have increased dramatically. The plant has doubled its number of employees from 42 to 84.

"We've grown so much we need about 20 to 25 people, but we can't hire them because there is no where to put them."

Thurman said the plant has added a second shift, something the company tries to avoid. He also said that plant may hire another 10 to 12 people before the expansion is complete. The plant is not in full production, but as the new model year begins, full production speed will begin and so will the hiring of additional personnel.

"The Clark County Industrial Council is pleased to see any of our existing industries expand. That's as good as or better than a plant announcement," said Hardman. "The CCIC's mission statement is to create high paying, environmentally safe jobs, wherever that comes. As long as it is high-paying, safe jobs, we have accomplished our goal."

Seeing Alumacraft expand is also beneficial to industry recruitment, Hardman said. Prospective businesses and industries would view expansion as a sign that the CCIC and the community at-large not only support new business, but continue to support industry long after they open their doors.

He said this expansion is a sign of an improved economy and "hopes" such expansion can soon be duplicated in other industries in the county.

Thurman said in the past year, the plant has seen a 40 percent increase in sales. Alumacraft is a family-owned company based in Colorado. There are only two plants in the United States, the one in Arkadelphia and another in Michigan. The Michigan plant has seen a small growth.

"We've already sold out of 2002 products," Thurman said.

The company was forced to begin manufacturing 2003 models early, before the prices were even set. Stores have been sold out of 2002 models for about two months.

Growth has been consistent for the company for more than a year. Last summer the plant reconfigured its manufacturing area for better work flow which boosted production. But Thurman said an expansion was now imperative.

Pending company approval, construction on a $600,000 plant expansion will begin in the next two months. Construction plans and the contractor are on standby to begin as soon as the company gives the OK, he said. The construction will add 12,500 square feet of manufacturing space and remodel the current office space. There are plans for a second phase of construction totaling $300,000 to double the office space at the facility.

Thurman said he expects construction on the plant expansion to last four to six months, and then the office expansion can begin. The company is moving a trailer to the site to house offices until the construction is complete, but the manufacturing plant will not have to shut down during construction.

The Alumacraft Company has been in existence since 1942, and the plant in Arkadelphia opened in 1969.