Elopak Chooses Little Rock for First U.S. Plant, $70M Investment

06 Dec, 2023

Elopak Chooses Little Rock for First U.S. Plant, $70M Investment

A Norwegian packaging company, Elopak, has earmarked Little Rock for its inaugural U.S. production plant. The company announced a substantial $70 million investment in land, buildings, and cutting-edge equipment to establish a state-of-the-art facility for its diverse line of packaging products. Anticipated to generate over 100 job opportunities for engineers, printers, operators, logistics specialists, and more, the Port of Little Rock site resulted from collaborative efforts with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Little Rock Regional Chamber.

After evaluating more than 25 locations across five states, Elopak selected Little Rock as the prime location for its U.S. venture. The partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Little Rock Regional Chamber played a pivotal role in the decision-making process.

Lionel Ettedgui, Elopak’s Executive Vice-President North America, emphasized the significance of collaboration, stating, “The cooperation with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Little Rock Regional Chamber was key to our decision and simply inspirational for all of us.”

Specializing in environmentally conscious packaging for liquid dairy products, juices, plant-based items, and liquid eggs, Elopak has a global footprint, employing 2,600 people and selling over 14 billion cartons annually in more than 70 countries.

Thomas Körmendi, the CEO, highlighted the strategic importance of expanding into North America, stating, “This is our first converting plant in the USA and a landmark investment for our company. North America is a key building block for our future growth, and we are very excited to expand our presence in the region.”

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders lauded Elopak's decision as indicative of the state's advantages. She expressed optimism, stating, “I know that other great businesses like Elopak will see what we are doing in the Natural State, which will lead to many more announcements like this that will benefit the entire state.” Elopak's move to Little Rock not only marks a significant investment in the region but also underscores the state's appeal for international companies seeking a strategic foothold in the U.S. market.