Situation

Westrock Coffee Company, a global integrated coffee, tea, and extract solutions provider, was established in 2009 by prominent Arkansas executive Scott Ford and Joe Ford. Westrock established its corporate headquarters in Little Rock and manufacturing operations in North Little Rock. As demand for its products continued to grow, the company sought to expand its manufacturing capabilities and establish a larger, more advanced production footprint.

CHALLENGE

Westrock Coffee needed to expand its production capacity to keep pace with increasing demand from customers around the world. The company needed a facility capable of bringing more of its production process together while incorporating advanced technology, automation, and product development capabilities.

Solution

In 2023, the company announced plans to invest more than $300 million and create 600 new jobs in Conway. The investment supported the development of a state-of-the-art, 570,000-square-foot manufacturing facility designed to streamline the production process from coffee roasting through ready-to-drink packaging.

Results

Westrock Coffee opened its Conway facility in 2024 ahead of schedule, delivering a major economic development win for Central Arkansas. The expansion strengthens Arkansas’s position as a destination for advanced food and beverage manufacturing. By choosing Conway, Westrock Coffee has created a larger, more technologically advanced production hub while expanding its ability to serve customers globally from Arkansas.