Roach Manufacturing Corporation announces expansion at Caraway facility

CARAWAY, Ark. – Roach Manufacturing Corporation (R.M.C.), a manufacturer of conveyors and conveying equipment also known as Roach Conveyors, today announced it will expand its facility in Caraway, Ark., creating 30 new jobs over the next two years.

“Caraway has been a great fit for our company in the past year,” Mike Roach, vice president of manufacturing at R.M.C., said. “The local workforce values dependability and hard work, which are exactly what we need as our business continues to grow. I look forward to continuing be a part of this business community.”

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Clint O’Neal, executive vice president of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), joined Mike Roach, R.M.C. President G.W. Roach, Caraway Mayor Bo James, and local officials at the facility for the announcement and groundbreaking.

“Today’s announcement is one more milestone on the way to our state’s economic recovery,” said Gov. Hutchinson. “It’s great to see our businesses not only getting back to the way things were, but to see them grow and prosper. I’m proud of the commitment that R.M.C. has made in our Caraway workforce and the investment in the community.”

The company, headquartered in Trumann, Ark., opened its assembly and completion operations in Caraway last year where it currently employs 15 people. As part of the expansion announced today, the company will triple employment at R.M.C. Caraway and construct a new 25,000-square-foot addition to the current 22,000-square-foot facility.

“For more than half a century, R.M.C. has made Arkansas proud as it adapted to manufacturers’ ever-changing needs,” O’Neal said. “Their willingness to put customers first while continuing to produce world-class products is a testament to the strong business climate here in Arkansas. I’m proud to watch them continue to expand and look forward to working with them in the future.”

Roach Manufacturing Corporation was founded in 1953. The company manufactures conveyors and conveying equipment, such as gravity, belt, roller, chain driven, flexible, extendable, accumulation, and line shaft conveyors. R.M.C. currently has a total of 375 employees across three manufacturing plants in Trumann and Caraway.

“This announcement is exciting news for the City of Caraway,” Mayor James said. “After months of planning and hard work, we are proud that R.M.C. will be expanding here in Caraway. The expansion will include a new addition to the factory and will triple the current number of employees. We are very thankful to be part of this announcement. This would not have been possible without Governor Hutchinson and Mr. Mike Roach. We look forward to seeing more continued growth in our community.”

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About Roach Manufacturing Corporation

Founded in 1953 by Gay Roach, Sr., Roach Manufacturing Corporation’s original purpose was to build heavy-duty conveyors to transport heavy bales of cotton. Over 65 years later, our purpose may have expanded, but our original goal is the same: to build world-class products and meet the needs of our customers.

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 positive 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.

For Media Inquiries:
Chelsea O’Kelley – Director of Communications
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
501.352.1431
[email protected]