Indian company to build $100 million Little Rock plant

By Mark Friedman

An Indian pipe manufacturer expects to start construction on a $100 million manufacturing plant in Little Rock, Ark, by the end of August.

On Aug. 8, Man Industries (India) Ltd. completed the purchase of a 155-acre site just south of the Little Rock Port, according to a news release from the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.

A general contractor for the project hasn't been hired yet, says Joey Dean, vice president of the chamber. Dean says Man Industries is interviewing general contractors and expects to hire a contractor soon.

Dean adds the construction project should take about a year to complete.

The Little Rock plant will employ 250 people and have the capability to produce 300,000 tons of Helical Submerged Arc Welded pipes annually, the news release said. The pipes will be used in the petroleum industry. A coating facility also will be located on the site.

Man Industries had announced in March its plans to build the plant at the Little Rock Port. The Man USA Inc. plant will be the company's headquarters for North and South America.

"The execution of this first facility is significant for Man, as we strengthen our presence in the U.S. market and take an important step towards investing in this region," says Ramesh Mansukhani, chairman of Man Industries, in the news release. "Based on the U.S.'s growing demand, Man is very confident about its future growth opportunities in the U.S."

Man Industries currently has two manufacturing plants in Gujarat and Madya Pradesh.

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