HITCO Carbon Composites, Inc. recently announced the expansion of its manufacturing operations in Arkadelphia, Ark., adding more than 60 jobs over the next five years. The expansion represents an additional investment of $1.8 million, bringing total investments in Arkadelphia to more than $5.87 million.

HITCO Carbon Composites, based in Gardena, Calif., is an aerospace manufacturer of high performance components and materials. The expansion of the Arkadelphia facility, located in the Clark County Industrial Park, will support increasing demand for its aircraft insulation components.

HITCO is a subsidiary of SGL Group – The Carbon Company, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon-based products.

In order to rapidly build-up its manufacturing operations, HITCO will invest in new equipment to be installed over the next several months. Training and recruitment for new employees will begin in the fall of 2007. The first new employees will be hired toward the end of 2007 to support production beginning in 2008.

HITCO President and CEO, BJ Schramm, remarked that the commitment of the AEDC and CCIC to generating new jobs was a critical part in the decision to expand its manufacturing operations in Arkansas. As a member of the SGL Group, HITCO had considered domestic and foreign manufacturing locations for this expansion project, but the commitment of these local agencies “tipped the scales” in favor of Arkansas.

HITCO has been manufacturing high performance insulation for aircraft for over 30 years and is experiencing unprecedented growth as worldwide air travel continues to expand. HITCO sells it insulation products to aircraft manufacturers and airline operators around the world.

The HITCO facility also produces a fabric that is a component on the space shuttle.

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