Arkansas has an abundance of resources to help food processing companies succeed. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission works directly with food processing companies looking to start-up, expand or relocate. In addition, we assist companies with finding the best incentives so companies are able to make money quickly and efficiently.
There were 522 food and beverage companies in Arkansas at the end of 2022. These companies employed 55,130 people. Arkansas is home to Tyson Foods and numerous other food processing facilities, including Nestle, JBS USA, Kraft Heinz, Mars Inc., Cargill Inc., Hormel Foods Corp, Riceland Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, ConAgra Brands Inc., Land O’ Frost and Frito-Lay, Inc.
Arkansas has the 5th largest percentage of food processing workers in the United States. The growth rate of the food and beverage industry from 2017 to 2022 was 6 percent in Arkansas.
The food processing industry is booming in Arkansas and continues to grow exponentially. Eight of the top 10 food and beverage companies by revenue in the world have manufacturing facilities in the state.
Arkansas is meeting the workforce needs for food processing companies. The state now has the second-largest number of food processing workers in the US and Arkansas has responded to industry growth by modernizing the workforce.
This week our team at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission is proud to be a part of many events around the state as we join communities to celebrate Manufacturing Day. Manufacturing Day was established to raise awareness among students, parents, and teachers about the great opportunities the industry has to offer. By touring modern manufacturing facilities, perceptions can change about what it’s like to translate STEM skills learned in a classroom into fulfilling readily available career opportunities.
In Arkansas, manufacturing is a significant economic driver, contributing 18% of our state’s gross domestic product and employing 160,597 individuals. Manufacturing employs over 13% of our workforce, which is why many companies look to Arkansas as a desirable place to locate a manufacturing facility.
Unfortunately, the industry nationwide is facing a talent acquisition crisis that could threaten the success and growth of manufacturing companies in the foreseeable future. Across the country, manufacturers are reporting a serious shortage of qualified applicants for production positions. The industry is facing the need for 3.4 million workers to meet the demand for Made-in-America goods.
In the past three years, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission has conducted more than 1,800 face-to-face meetings with local manufacturing companies to understand their needs better. These companies have collectively reported that they could fill over 10,000 jobs if they had applicants that were trained and ready to work.
To address the workforce development needs of these companies, our team has worked with dozens of companies to launch a training course called Future Fit.
I’d like to recognize and thank the western Arkansas companies that played a significant role in developing and launching Future Fit: Bekaert, Trane, Gerber, International Paper, HSM Solutions, MAHLE, Gerdau, Glatfelter, Rockline Industries, and Rheem.
Participants of Future Fit complete a training program that prepares them for entry-level employment with these companies. The first course takes approximately 120 hours of combined hands-on and online training. We are excited to collaborate with companies across Arkansas to expand the program statewide.
With these initiatives, we strive to address a top priority of the state – to increase the satisfaction of Arkansas companies by meeting their workforce development needs.
To learn more about the Future Fit initiative, click here.
To learn more about Manufacturing Day and to find an event near you, click here.
c9b86884a51947dba15eab2eecdf9722.png?sfvrsn=59a23b31_1 "Clint ONeal circle") |
Blog post contributed by: Executive Vice President of Global Business |
