Arkansas-based Southworth Products, which makes ergonomic materials-handling equipment, is expanding its manufacturing facility with two new assembly lines and creating around 35 new jobs.

CEO Brian McNamara said: “Southworth has just completed its 125th year in business and its 36th year of focusing its manufacturing operations in Manila, Arkansas. Since moving a couple of product lines down from the North East of the country in 1979 into an existing 10,000sq ft facility, we have steadily increased our local footprint to well over 150,000ft2 and now conduct all our North American production in Mississippi County, Arkansas.”

Southworth’s product lines include: scissor-lift tables, container tilters, pallet level loaders, pallet trucks, turntables and other palletising equipment, coil- and roll-handling equipment, roll-on level loaders, dock lifts, vertical conveyors and manual lifter transporters.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said: “The company’s diversified product line and strong management team, combined with Mississippi County’s skilled workforce, have created a recipe for success. It’s encouraging to see a firm like Southworth Products continuing to invest and create new jobs in the state. We appreciate the company’s on-going commitment to doing business in Arkansas.”