(St. Louis, MO) March 2, 2021
Anchor Packaging, LLC, a leading US manufacturer of foodservice packaging, together with Mayor Josh Agee, community leaders, and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, celebrated the groundbreaking of a 90,000 square-foot, $21.5 million expansion to its Paragould, AR manufacturing facility, which will bring 45 new jobs over the next 30 months.
Since opening its first Arkansas production plant in 1985, Anchor has continued its rapid growth into multiple locations with several new product line expansions and hiring more local residents. Today, Anchor employs over 1,000 people and operates two million square feet of production and distribution across six facilities in Paragould, Marmaduke, and Jonesboro.
“Anchor’s packaging is just one more way Arkansas touches lives all over the United States,” Governor Asa Hutchinson said. “Most Americans probably don’t know they take their takeout restaurant food home in a container made in the Natural State. Since 1987, when Anchor opened its first facility in Marmaduke, the company has been a world-class member of our business community. Anchor’s decision to expand in Paragould gives us another opportunity to spread the news that Arkansas’s workforce is first-rate, our business climate is second to none, and Arkansas businesses make life better for millions of people.”
“I applaud Anchor Packaging for their commitment to their employees and the community,” said Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. “They have risen to the top of their industry through innovation and quality while creating a positive environment that continues to draw a dedicated workforce.”
“Anchor Packaging has been an excellent partner of the Paragould industrial community since expanding to Paragould in the 1990’s. We are thrilled that Anchor has decided to expand here once again. Our workforce has time and time again met the needs of expanding and new industries. The City of Paragould has long been a proponent of partnering with our local industries for job retention and expansion. The Anchor Packaging expansion is a proud product of those efforts,” said Paragould Mayor Josh Agee.
“Anchor Packaging has a rich 58-year history protecting food, including moving its manufacturing operations to Northeast Arkansas communities over 35 years ago. I am proud to say we have never had a lay-off. Re-investing in the region comes naturally as we have outstanding employees, many second and third generation, coupled with an evergrowing business focused on sustainable food packaging solutions,” said Jeff Wolff, CEO and President, Anchor Packaging. “Our safety accomplishments and consecutive record production levels over the past several years are evidence of the pride and ownership every Anchor team member takes in producing high-quality packaging that best meets the evolving needs of our customers.”
The Paragould expansion will house several new thermoforming lines with installation beginning in late 2021. This expansion is in addition to the new thermoforming lines going operational in Q2, 2021 in Paragould and Jonesboro allowing Anchor Packaging to fill the rapidly growing demand for foodservice containers used by restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores to serve the consumer’s expanding need for takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery of prepared meals. Anchor Packaging products include the award-winning Crisp Food Technologies® containers, Safe Pinch® Tamper-Evident containers, and a unique stock product line of over 450 rigid containers and foodservice cling films.