G.C. Evans, Sleeve Seal Investing $6.4M, Creating 43 Jobs

G.C. Evans Sales and Manufacturing and Sleeve Seal announced Monday that they will invest a combined $6.4 million to expand operations in Little Rock and create 43 new jobs.

The two companies, which are under the same ownership, are located in at 3300 South Woodrow St. in Little Rock but will move all operations to a new, upgraded facility at 14000 Dineen Drive where they will incorporate two new printing lines.

G.C. Evans has been in Little Rock for more than 80 years and employs more than 40 people. The family owned business makes packaging and processing equipment for the food, bottling and pharmaceutical industries.

Sleeve Seal LLC was founded about eight years ago by the G.C. Evans owners and an additional partner. The company supplies printed shrink labels and high-speed labeling equipment used in the consumer and household goods sector as well as the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

“G.C. Evans Sales and Manufacturing and Sleeve Seal are extremely excited about this move,” said Jason Jones of Sleeve Seal. “The support from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the state of Arkansas has us on track of getting to that point sooner rather than later. We believe that Arkansas creates a competitive advantage for us nationally and we are looking forward to getting underway.”

The companies will receive the following incentives from the AEDC, according to spokesman Scott Hardin:

• Tax Back, which provides sales tax refunds on building materials, taxable machinery and equipment associated with the expansion project.
• Advantage Arkansas, which provides an income tax credit based on payroll of new jobs. Credit will equal one percent of payroll.
• A $250,000 grant from the governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund.

“Arkansas’ job creation momentum would not be possible without homegrown companies like G.C. Evans and Sleeve Seal that continue to make significant investments in the state,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a news release. “G.C. Evans has a rich history in Arkansas and, along with Sleeve Seal, is positioned to flourish for many more years. With the addition of this expansion, we’ve announced more than 640 new jobs and $256 million in capital investment for Arkansas in just the last few days.”