NOWDiagnostics to use state factory
NOWDiagnostics, a Springdale-based company that manufactures one-step blood test devices, has moved its plastic- housing production from China to Arkansas.
The change, announced earlier this week, is expected to improve quality control and create 12 jobs in the state this year. NOWDiagnostics is working with PolyTech Plastic Molding in Prairie Grove, which will create the housings for all of the devices.
"By moving all of our production to Arkansas, we can have a better control over the quality of our products, which is our chief concern," Chief Executive Officer Kevin Clark said. "Having a partner just down the road whom we can visit anytime we want or need to has significantly improved our process from a logistical standpoint."
-- Robbie Neiswanger
Workshop features Toyota strategies
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission will sponsor a workshop Thursday on how Toyota Motor Corp. tried to teach General Motors its production secrets.
The workshop -- presented by retired Toyota executive Isao Yoshino and Greg Sullivan, a management expert -- will relive the actual events Toyota executives experienced in converting a GM plant in California in 1984.
The workshop will show executives how to create successful and lasting organizational change and stress the application of Toyota strategies to create profitable companies.
The workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Capitol Ave. in Little Rock. The cost to register is $100. Registration is available online at www.mfgsolutions.org/calendar.asp.
-- David Smith
Arkansas Index gains 2.33; bank stocks up
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, gained 2.33 to 287.09 Thursday.
"U.S. stocks moved higher after an increase in oil prices and strong earnings from Facebook and Under Armour," said John Blackwell, senior vice president and managing director of equity trading at Stephens Inc. in Little Rock. "The Arkansas Index moved up, as well, after 14 stocks advanced and four declined."
Home BancShares rose 4 percent in active trading.
Bear State Financial was up 3.7 percent on average volume.
P.A.M. Transportation lost 6.3 percent in light trading.
Windstream fell 3.6 percent on low volume.
Total volume for the index was 32.4 million shares.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.
Business on 01/29/2016