Astara Capital Partners Opens Sawmill in Camden With Plans to Create 50-Plus Jobs

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, state and local officials, and business leaders celebrate opening

CAMDEN, Arkansas (February 10, 2023) – Astara Capital Partners, along with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and other state and local officials, today marked the opening of the Camden Timbers sawmill and celebrated the economic investment and job creation it will bring to Arkansas.

“Astara is proud to invest in American manufacturing companies, and today’s ceremony highlights the wonderful team at Camden Timbers and its special partnership with the state of Arkansas,” said Astara Managing Partner Michael Ranson. “We appreciate the leadership of both Governor Sanders and former Governor Hutchinson, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas Department of Finance, the Ouachita Partnership and a whole host of local leaders who helped make this project so successful.”

Camden Timbers will create more than 50 jobs in the area. The company expects the sawmill to produce more than 50 million board feet of timbers and dimensional lumber through its sawmill, kiln, and planer operations.

“This facility is a vision of what business development should look like in our state: government and businesses working hand-in-hand instead of against each other to create jobs, invest capital, and develop the next generation of talent,” said Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “Thank you to the teams at Camden Timbers and Astara Capital Partners for investing right here in Arkansas.”

“We are thrilled that Astara is investing in Arkansas with the launch of Camden Timbers,” said Clint O’Neal, AEDC executive director. “Arkansas is the heart of the timber basket in the United States, offering abundant natural resources and a strong industry workforce. These competitive advantages will help Camden Timbers thrive and meet the needs of its customers.”

"Our community welcomes Camden Timbers in restarting the former Victory Lumber mill,” said James Lee Silliman, executive director of the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development. “This facility will provide jobs and investment in our community and will greatly benefit the timber economy of south Arkansas.”

“Today’s announcement by Camden Timbers is exciting for our community,” said Camden Mayor Charlotte Young. “The timber and forestry industry plays a vital role in our local community.  Camden is a natural fit for business investment, and we are excited to welcome Camden Timbers to our great city.

“Ouachita County is extremely proud that Astara Capital Partners and Camden Timbers have chosen our community to invest in the future,” said Ouachita County Judge Robert A. McAdoo. “Their addition will increase workforce and prosper economic development in many avenues. As County Judge, I would like to say, ‘thank you’ for believing in Ouachita County and the revitalization of the Victory Sawmill.”

About Astara Capital Partners

Astara Capital Partners is an integrated team of investors and operators investing in the middle market.  The firm brings capital, strategic, and operational resources to its investments to build sustainable value and position them for long-term success. Astara focuses on a variety of sectors where it has deep experience, including packaging and converting, food, building products, forest products, and industrial manufacturing, distribution, and services. More information about Astara can be found at www.astaracapital.com.

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.