HS MetalWorks expands production capacity at Arkansas plant

FORT SMITH, Ark. – HS Manufacturing LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., is shifting some of its production capacity to its HS MetalWorks facility here to grow its business across a number of industries including home furnishings.

In addition to an existing realm of core metal working capabilities such as wire, tubing, stamping and sub-assembly design and production now done at its Hickory, N.C., metal plant, the 200,000-square-foot facility will provide additional powder coating, painting and other metal forming and fabrication capabilities.

Along with providing components for the home furnishings industry, including seating components for office chairs, the Fort Smith facility will provide components for appliances, power sports vehicles, lawn and garden, and other industrial applications. It also has a state-of-the-art testing facility that is manned by a team of engineers that the company said has experience in the diverse markets it aims to serve.

The company said there are no planned changes in employment either at Hickory or Fort Smith that are expected with the transition.

“As we continue to optimize our enterprise manufacturing across the company, this move allows us to serve multiple industries and fuels the growth our HS MetalWorks division has experienced as it continues to expand into new markets,” said Michael Hinshaw, chief operating officer of HSM.

While the facility will initially produce office seating components on the home furnishings side of the business, the plant’s capabilities will allow it to serve other areas of the industry.

“A second manufacturing location not only provides us with a production contingency plan, but our increased footprint allows us to better serve a larger geography,” said Tim Becker, president of HS MetalWorks. “As we continue to grow, Fort Smith will provide invaluable engineering expertise and expand our offering of value-added services and products for current customers. The additional capabilities also accelerate our expansion into new industry sectors.”