Plastic Ingenuity Inc., which calls itself one of the largest custom thermoformers in North America, is getting even bigger.
The company is expanding its Maumelle, Ark., site through a $2.5 million project that will add another 10 jobs to the current roster of 50 workers.
Plastic Ingenuity is undertaking the expansion to increase production of plastic food packaging lines.
“This expansion will allow the Maumelle facility to become a larger player in the rapidly growing food segment of plastic packaging. The added space and new auxiliary equipment will increase our efficiency and bring more work to central Arkansas,” said Plant Manager Jess Mellenthin in a statement.
A state economic development official pointed to the importance of paying attention to existing companies in creating growth.
“We must continue to support Arkansas's manufacturers by providing a trained workforce and the tools needed to grow in our state. We appreciate Plastic Ingenuity's leadership for their decision to invest in Maumelle and its citizens,” said Danny Games, interim executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, in a statement.
“Plastic Ingenuity's expansion demonstrates the value and importance of our existing manufacturers,” he said.
While the expansion is centered on food-related packaging, Plastic Ingenuity's site in Maumelle also produces plastic packaging for the cell phone and electronics industry.
The company has been in Maumelle since 1993.
Plastic Ingenuity is headquartered in Cross Plains, Wis., and has a manufacturing site in nearby Mazomanie, Wis. Other manufacturing sites, aside from Maumelle, are in Oxford, N.C., and Guadalupe and Monterrey, Mexico.
The company ranked No. 22 in Plastics News' most recent survey of North American thermoformers, with sales of $85 million.