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What started as a small countertop operation has grown into a technology-driven Arkansas manufacturer focused on quality, service, and creating a better experience for its customers. For David McDougall, Countertop World started with a simple idea: there had to be a better way to serve customers looking for quality countertops. What began as a small operation has grown into a family-owned stone fabrication and installation company serving residential and commercial customers

From a small fabrication operation to a growing multi-state manufacturer, Matt Goodhart is focused on building the systems, team, and opportunities needed for JAMM’s next chapter. AMM Fabrication & Design started with a simple idea: solve a customer's problem and find a better way to build what they needed. Founded by Matt Goodhart and Allen Walker, the company began in 2017 after a customer needed custom handrails for train cars. What started with three employees cutting, be

After years of service work, Swanson’s Welding & Fabrication is building a new path through manufacturing, new equipment, and its first proprietary product line. Swanson’s Welding & Fabrication has been part of the Springdale, Arkansas, manufacturing community since 2009. When Aaron Collins purchased the company in 2021, the business was primarily focused on service work. The team traveled to plants, repaired equipment, and helped customers get their production lines back up

An Arkansas family business is building on 11 years of growth while expanding into new opportunities in aerospace and defense. When Ellis Custom Solutions started 11 years ago, the company was focused primarily on maintenance and repair. Today, the Benton, Arkansas, business has grown into a full-scale precision manufacturing operation with seven full-time employees, millions of dollars invested in CNC equipment, and a growing list of capabilities. The company was founded by

How a family-owned Arkansas manufacturer is modernizing a 70-year-old business while keeping its focus on the people behind every product. When Robert Jones and his spouse acquired JAECO Orthopedic three years ago, they were stepping into a company with a history that stretched back generations. Founded in 1955, JAECO has spent decades developing upper-extremity orthopedic equipment designed to help people regain movement and independence. Today, the Hot Springs, Arkansas, ma

From custom welding to automated manufacturing, Richard Powell is building a business designed for what comes next. When Richard Powell started Powell Fabrication in 2020, the business looked very different from what it does today. Based in Rogers, Arkansas, Richard started out doing general welding and fabrication work, including projects like handrails and other custom jobs. With welding experience dating back to the age of 15, he knew the trade well. What he began to see,

After purchasing a longtime Fort Smith manufacturer, Stuart Leonard is focused on growing Magnaform, finding new customers and making the most of the company’s strong foundation. When Stuart Leonard decided he wanted to own a manufacturing company, he wasn't necessarily looking for the newest equipment or the biggest operation. He was looking for a business with a strong foundation and an opportunity to build something of his own. He found that opportunity in Magnaform. Based

For Zachary Janosky, President of Global Manufacturing, growth is about more than winning the next customer. It is about building relationships, solving problems and continuing a family business that has been part of Arkansas manufacturing for decades. Global Manufacturing, Inc. has been part of the Arkansas manufacturing community since 1973. Located in Little Rock near the airport, the company manufactures flow aid devices used to move bulk materials such as sand, sugar, wo

Derek Goodlin is building a business around a straightforward idea: give people a way to repair what they already own. In 2014, Derek Goodlin had a problem with his 2000 Polaris Sportsman 500. A shock needed a new bushing, but the dealership couldn't sell him the small replacement part. The only option was to buy a completely new shock for several hundred dollars.Derek didn't think that made much sense. An engineer by background, he found the right raw material and, with help

After years of balancing a full-time job and late nights in the shop, Bobby Lepitre turned his passion for machining into a thriving manufacturing business. Success in manufacturing rarely happens overnight. Behind every thriving shop are years of learning, persistence, and countless hours spent solving problems. For Bobby Lepitre, founder of Rockdale Manufacturing LLC. in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the journey began long before the company officially opened its doors. While work

Third-generation coffee farmer Geovanni Leiva is transforming a family legacy into a business that creates lasting opportunity. For many people, coffee is part of a daily routine. For Geovanni Leiva, founder of Leiva's Coffee in Roland, Arkansas, it has always represented something much greater. Every cup tells a story, one rooted in family, sacrifice, and a commitment to creating opportunities for future generations. Geovanni is a third-generation coffee farmer from Guatemal

Building a Business Through Integrity, Relationships, and Continuous Growth When Kelly and Patricia Hood founded Hood Tooling & Machine LLC in 2012, they weren't setting out to build one of the largest machine shops in the region. They simply wanted the opportunity to build something of their own after the manufacturing plant where Kelly worked closed its doors. The couple sold their pontoon boat, purchased their first machine, and opened a small shop behind their home. "We s

How founder Mike Thompson turned a childhood dream into a thriving business while staying true to his values, his community, and his commitment to quality. Sometimes the sweetest success stories begin with a childhood dream. For Mike Thompson, founder and Chief Pops Officer of Pedal Pops, that dream was opening an ice cream shop. After spending nearly 20 years in corporate accounting, he decided it was finally time to pursue his passion. What started as a vision for an ice cr

Learn how Chief Operating Officer Drew Martin is helping scale innovation, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and support the next generation of industry leaders through RAMP. Drew Martin has spent much of his career helping companies grow, adapt, and compete in increasingly complex global markets. As Chief Operating Officer of Conveyor Technology in Little Rock, Arkansas, he now finds himself leading one of the most unique manufacturing success stories in the country. With m

How one Arkansas entrepreneur turned a business challenge into a thriving manufacturing operation and a workplace where people can grow. Success rarely follows a straight path, and Marcos Sierra knows that better than most. Having spent much of his life pursuing new opportunities and overcoming challenges through hard work and determination, Sierra developed an entrepreneurial mindset long before he became a business owner. Today, as the owner of Sierra Group Roofing & Solar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Northwest & Central Arkansas— April 2026 LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — A new statewide accelerator is now accepting applications to help small and mid-sized manufacturers across Arkansas strengthen operations, increase revenue, and create high-quality jobs. The Reel Advanced Manufacturing Program (RAMP), sponsored by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) and the Walton Family Foundation, is now welcoming participants for its upcoming cohort. The