The Alberto-Culver Co., a manufacturer of beauty and personal care products, officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Jonesboro Tuesday with local and state officials on hand, including Gov. Mike Beebe.
The 475,000-SF facility began initial production in January, the company said in a news release, less than a year from the ground-breaking on Jan. 17, 2007. The Jonesboro facility is Alberto-Culver's largest and was designed, built and will function using Lean Manufacturing concepts. The initial investment was $60 million.
The facility is now working on three shifts, five days a week, with weekends available to support business needs. It employs about 200 full-time workers and is continuing growth, with additional temporary staff supporting business peaks. Alberto-Culver says the facility eventually will employ around 400.
The company makes products including TRESemme, Alberto VO5, Nexxus and St. Ives. The company says it is the second largest producer in the world of products for the multicultural hair care market, with leading brands including Motions and Soft & Beautiful.
The facility is producing products for local U.S. and international markets and is gearing up for a second phase of construction and development to expand capacity. The new capacity is targeted for completion in mid-2009.
"Today we not only celebrate Alberto-Culver's opening, but also its plans to continue expanding," Beebe said. "Northeast Arkansas will continue to share in this company's success as their growth creates more jobs in the coming years."
