Cantex Inc., the largest maker of PVC electrical conduit, fittings and boxes in the U.S., on Thursday announced plans for a $120 million factory at a former Husqvarna facility in Nashville.
The project is expected to create 110 jobs in its first year, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission said in a news release.
Husqvarna, a Swedish maker of power outdoor products, ended its operations in Nashville in 2024, affecting about 700 jobs.
Cantex of Fort Worth, Texas, plans to invest in new equipment and make significant upgrades to the 351,763 SF facility at 630 Highway 27 Bypass. Operations are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“This property will enable us to better serve our customers and support our long-term growth strategy,” Dave Merker, president of Cantex, said in the release. “We look forward to integrating this new manufacturing facility into our operations and leveraging its potential to drive innovation and excellence.”
Privately held Cantex operates as a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp. of Tokyo, Japan. The company’s products serve a range of electrical distributors, contractors and end users across the U.S.
Husqvarna wound down production and laid off workers at its Nashville facilities — three factories and a solar farm — over a period of 15 months. The company said it exited Nashville, a city of about 4,100 residents, as part of a broader strategy to “optimize production, enhance regional operational capacity and strengthen efficiency.”
In July 2024, an affiliate of real estate investment firm Phoenix Investors LLC of Milwaukee acquired the facilities for an undisclosed amount.
The state offered Cantex 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; seven years of the Create Rebate program, an annual cash rebate based on the number of jobs added by a company and targeted wages; and a $3 million Community Development Block Grant.
“Nashville had everything that CANTEX needed: available real estate, a supportive business environment, and a strong workforce,” Clint O’Neal, executive director of AEDC, said in the release. “This is a big win for the City of Nashville and the State of Arkansas.”
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