Koppers to invest millions, create jobs at its North Little Rock facility

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 25, 2020) – Koppers, a global provider of treated wood products, today announced that it plans to invest a minimum of $23 million and increase the number of workers at its North Little Rock facility over the next two years.

The investment will be used for new construction and to purchase equipment that will allow Koppers to upgrade and modernize the company’s processes and further improve its environmental footprint.

“When Koppers had the opportunity to invest in the future, we chose the dedicated workforce and exceptional community of North Little Rock,” said Chris Martin, plant manager of Koppers North Little Rock. “This is a place where people work hard, and we support each other.”

The company cited support from the state, Pulaski County, and the city of North Little Rock among the reasons for its decision to expand at the North Little Rock site.

“I am very pleased by Koppers’ decision to grow its business in Arkansas,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said. “The North Little Rock facility has been an establishment for more than a century, and we are grateful that the company has chosen to continue this legacy by investing millions into the site. I am confident that the company’s entrepreneurship, combined with our pro-business environment, will contribute to the continued success of Koppers in Arkansas.”

“Koppers has been a reliable contributor to Arkansas’ economy for decades,” said Secretary of Commerce and Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) Mike Preston. “Koppers directly serves one of the most prominent railroads in the state and sources many of its materials from timber production sites across the state. I appreciate Koppers’ continued investment in Arkansas.”

“I’m proud of the economic development team’s efforts on Koppers' expansion,” Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde said. “Koppers has been a good member of the business community here for years. They care about their people and they care about the community.”

“On behalf of a grateful community, I want to thank the Koppers management and board of directors for their decision to remain and expand in North Little Rock,” North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith said. “Just a short time ago, it didn’t seem as though this would be the final outcome. But an aggressive and effective rapid response by our state and local economic development team, as well as this facility’s fantastic employees, made it happen. Finally, I sincerely appreciate Governor Hutchinson’s support and involvement.”

Koppers has been a part of the Central Arkansas community for more than 30 years. The North Little Rock facility, built in 1907, sits on 157 acres and currently employs approximately 80 people. The plant processes and treats more than 1.5 million wooden railroad crossties each year. The plant also produces switch ties, road crossings, and framed bridge timbers.

About Koppers

Koppers is an integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals, and carbon compounds. Its products and services are used in a variety of niche applications in a diverse range of end-markets, including the railroad, specialty chemical, utility, residential lumber, agriculture, aluminum, steel, rubber, and construction industries.  With more than 2,100 employees, it serves its customers through a comprehensive global manufacturing and distribution network, with facilities located in North America, South America, Australasia, China, and Europe.

About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission 

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, seeks to create economic opportunity by attracting higher-paying jobs, expanding and diversifying local economies in the state, increasing incomes and investment, and generating growth throughout The Natural State. Arkansas is a pro-business environment operating leaner, faster and more focused through a streamlined state government designed to act on corporate interests quickly and decisively. For more information, visit www.ArkansasEDC.com. The Arkansas Department of Commerce is the umbrella department for workforce and economic development drivers. Its divisions and regulatory boards include Division of Aeronautics, Waterways Commission, Wine Producers Council, Division of Workforce Services, Office of Skills Development, State Bank Department, Insurance Department, Securities Department, Economic Development Commission and Development Finance Authority. It was established July 2019 as part of Governor Asa Hutchinson’s wide-sweeping efficiency and transformation efforts to reduce 42 cabinet agencies to 15 while maintaining services for all Arkansans.