Welspun Tubular LLC on Thursday announced plans to invest $100 million in its facility at the Little Rock Port to expand and upgrade its pipe portfolio in the U.S.
The project is expected to create 175 jobs, adding to the factory’s 800-plus worker headcount, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission said in a news release. Welspun is expected to announce the groundbreaking in the coming weeks.
Welspun is a subsidiary of Welspun Corp Ltd. of India, one of the leading manufacturers of large-diameter line pipes globally. The port project will support production of high-strength pipes with sizes up to 24 inches in outside diameter, thickness of 0.750 inch and capacity of 350 kilometric tons per annum.
“This investment will enable us to further expand our leadership position in the oil and gas segment in the North American market by enriching our product portfolio,” Vipul Mathur, CEO and managing director of Welspun, said in a statement. “Our outlook for the USA market remains extremely positive.”
Construction is expected to be completed by December 2025, with production to scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
“Foreign direct investment is a key part of our economic development strategy in Arkansas, and it has paid off today with a significant investment from Welspun Tubular,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of AEDC. “Thank you to the leadership team at Welspun for your investment and your confidence in Arkansas, we look forward to seeing your continued growth at the Port of Little Rock.”
The state offered the following incentives for the project: the Tax Back program, which provides sales and use tax refunds on the purchase of building materials and taxable machinery; 10 years of the Create Rebate program, an annual cash rebate based on the number of jobs added by a company and targeted wages; and $2.2 million from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund, a cash grant used to finalize economic development deals in competitive situations.
Welspun began operating at the Little Rock Port in 2007 with the construction of a $100 million production facility. Over the years, the company has expanded its presence at the port from 740 acres to about 919 acres.
“Having Welspun choose Little Rock for this major expansion will not only bring jobs and investment to our community, it will continue to affirm the value of the Port as a beneficial location to manufacture goods,” Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port, said in the release. “The Little Rock Port Authority Board congratulates Welspun and their continued growth.”
Welspun’s expansion is the second major project announced at the port this week. On Tuesday, specialty trailer manufacturer The Faymonville Group of Luxembourg said it plans to build a $110 million factory at the port that will employ 500 people.
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