Taber Extrusions launches North America’s largest aluminum press in $70m expansion

Taber Extrusions has launched a $70 million expansion in Russellville featuring North America’s largest aluminum extrusion press, with production scheduled to begin Wednesday and 70 new jobs expected at the facility.

The company marked the grand opening of the expanded facility Tuesday, unveiling the new 10,000-metric-tonne aluminium press. Taber Extrusions has operated in the Russellville community for more than 50 years, making the latest investment a significant addition to its long-standing local presence.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders attended the ceremony and said the project would strengthen manufacturing employment in the River Valley while supporting the US industrial base. "This will be another major employer for Russellville and the entire River Valley. It will further help cement Arkansas's reputation as the arsenal of freedom. And most importantly of all, it will help rebuild and resupply the men and women of America's military," Sanders stated. 

The expansion also highlights the role of manufacturing jobs in rebuilding domestic industrial capacity. Clint O'Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said producing critical industrial products requires a strong manufacturing workforce. 

"You know, if we're going to rebuild the nation's industrial base and make these important products, we can't all show up to work in suits and ties. Some of us need to show up to work in red shirts," O'Neal said.

The new press is designed to heat and shape aluminum into precise profiles for large-scale manufacturing applications. Michael Tang, chairman of Tang Industries and CEO of National Material L.P., said Taber Extrusions is an important supplier to several major industries. "We make really important things that go into airplanes, that go into transportation. We supply Navy ships. We supply Navy carriers. We are an incredibly important part of the supply chain," Tang said.

Russellville Mayor Fred Teague also credited the local workforce for its contribution to the facility and the broader manufacturing sector. "Your wife and kids should be proud of what you do because you're making a difference, not only here, but worldwide," he said.

With the expansion now formally opened, Taber Extrusions is set to begin production on the new press Wednesday morning.