3 companies plan moves, expansions in Fort Smith

By Associated Press

FORT SMITH — One manufacturer in Fort Smith is moving its headquarters to the city, and another is to build a new manufacturing plant.

QualServ Corp. announced Monday it would move its headquarters from Kansas City, Mo., to Fort Smith. QualServ, which makes cabinetry for restaurants and retail stores, says it will have more than 400 Fort Smith employees, including 40 at the headquarters and addition of 75 more at its factory.

Also on Monday, Pradco Fishing announced it would build a new $21 million manufacturing plant. The company, which makes fishing lures and employs 150 people in Fort Smith, will consolidate from three buildings to one. The new facility will be in Fort Chaffee.

Airgun maker Umarex USA announced Monday is to open a new plant at Fort Chaffee. The company has 22 workers but plans to expand to between 60 and 120 within three years.