Bell Lumber & Pole will expand its manufacturing facility in De Queen to accelerate the production of Southern Yellow Pine utility poles in the southern region of the United States.
The De Queen facility focuses on the peeling, conditioning and interior storage of utility poles, and currently has 17 full-time employees. The expansion is expected to add another 12 jobs.
“We’re excited to become part of the De Queen community and to build strong local partnerships as we grow,” said Tom Bell, company president. “This investment allows us to expand capacity, strengthen our regional presence and create opportunities that support both our customers and the people who make this work possible.”
At the De Queen facility, utility poles will be manufactured by a multi-step process, taking raw timber and conditioning it into a finished product, according to a press release. The raw timber will be peeled to ensure high-quality poles for utility infrastructure and will then be conditioned to increase durability and ability to withstand environmental stressors. The facility will also provide organized storage for the utility poles ahead of shipping for customer needs.
“Arkansas is the heart of America’s wood basket, and we are excited to see continued growth in our region with Bell Lumber and Pole’s new manufacturing facility in De Queen,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “The investment will have a significant impact on this community and the surrounding region, creating new job opportunities and boosting the local timber industry. We thank Bell Lumber and Pole for their confidence and congratulate the City of De Queen and the local leadership driving economic development in Sevier County on this important win.”
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