White River Energetics Expands in Des Arc, Creates 100 New Jobs
10 September 2024 - 3:37AM
White River Energetics (WRE), an ammunition primer and energetics
manufacturer, is expanding its facility in Des Arc, creating 100
new jobs. The company is investing approximately $10 million to
expand its existing facility. Additionally, WRE will also make a
$60 million dollar investment to build a single base smokeless
propellant factory. There is a worldwide shortage of smokeless
propellant that is affecting munitions availability globally.
The expansion and new smokeless propellant facility will create
100 total new jobs at the White River Energetics campus in Des Arc
and represents an investment of more than $70 million.
“This smokeless propellant factory will enable us to supply
propellant to the global shortage that is affecting munitions
availability,” said Dan Powers, President and CEO of D&M
Holding Company, Inc. “We are proud to have chosen Des Arc for this
investment and look forward to adding the additional jobs for the
community.”
“We are proud of all the people and employees who have worked
tirelessly to support WRE and make this happen,” said BJ Rogers,
Vice President of Operations, D&M Holding Company, Inc. “Having
grown up in Des Arc, I’m personally proud to see the successes that
have been made with primers and look forward to continued success
in the future production of propellant.”
The expansion will enable WRE to scale its energetics and primer
manufacturing to meet customer demand as well as develop new
products. WRE supports domestic and international clients through
the manufacture and distribution of energetics for various
ammunition types.
“I’m proud of the 100 new jobs and the $70 million investment we
are announcing in a small town in Arkansas that I
know will have a big impact,” said Governor Sanders.
White River Energetics currently has 125 employees at the Des
Arc facility. In the past year, the company has added 73 new
employees.
“Congratulations to White River Energetics and to the City of
Des Arc on this successful economic development project,“ said
Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic
Development Commission. “This project hits the sweet spot in
Arkansas: the growth of the firearms and ammunition industry led by
innovative entrepreneurs, which is resulting new jobs and
investment in a rural community.”
The Des Arc facility has 14,000 square-feet of manufacturing
space, and the expansion will add 90,000 square feet for White
River Energetics’ operations. Construction on the expansion is
underway and expected to be completed Q1 2026.
“I’m grateful that WRE chose Des Arc as their facility site and
extremely excited about this expansion phase that will create
approximately 100 new jobs in this area,” said Roger Scott, Mayor
of Des Arc. “WRE is a remarkable asset to this community. They are
very supportive of Des Arc and are involved in the community
activities. In this economy, it’s important to have local jobs
available so our citizens aren’t forced to go out of town for
employment.”
Download event photos here.
CONTACT:Tyler HaleArkansas Department of
Commercetyler.hale@arkansasedc.com(501) 410-7883