FORT SMITH, Ark. — Firearm manufacturing company Walther Manufacturing has announced a $30 million expansion in Fort Smith.
According to a release from the office of Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the company met with the governor during her European trade mission last summer.
Walther is now set to expand its Fort Smith presence and create around 76 new jobs over the next five years, which the release says "represents a capital investment of up to $30 million in the region."
"Walther Manufacturing is making a substantial investment in our Fort Smith factory to facilitate the expansion of our research development and manufacturing of U.S.-produced firearms and accessories," Tom Goike, Walther Manufacturing President and CEO, said.
Umarex USA/Walther currently occupies 185,000 square feet in their facility, the release said. The planned expansion is to add 40,000 square feet.
The release said that the expansion is set to begin in the first quarter of 2024.
Sanders said that this will help grow not just Fort Smith but the entire River Valley.
“Arkansas is proud to be home to Walther U.S. headquarters, both because we love jobs and because we love our Second Amendment," Sanders said. "After meeting with the company during my European trade mission this summer, I’m thrilled they’ve decided to double down on their investment and grow their facility here in the Natural State, helping Fort Smith and the entire River Valley grow."
“Walther is a world-renowned firearms company, and they have been a great corporate partner in Arkansas for the past decade,” Clint O’Neal, Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said. “We are excited to see the company grow in the Natural State, and we look forward to their continued success.”
Walther established its operations in Arkansas in 2012, making Fort Smith its U.S. headquarters, the release said.
Walther Manufacturing is the fabrication entity that manufactures all U.S.-based products for Walther and Umarex USA. All three companies share a campus in Fort Smith.
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