Jobs at Gates in Siloam Springs Part Of Regional Growth, Survey Shows

NWA Council Releases Employer Retention, Expansion Survey

STAFF PHOTO ANTHONY REYES Cindy Christopher, human resources manager with Gates Corp. in Siloam Springs, speaks Monday during the Northwest Arkansas Council's meeting. The council released results of its Employer Retention and Expansion survey.
STAFF PHOTO ANTHONY REYES Cindy Christopher, human resources manager with Gates Corp. in Siloam Springs, speaks Monday during the Northwest Arkansas Council's meeting. The council released results of its Employer Retention and Expansion survey.

— Northwest Arkansas employees plan on hiring more than 2,000 people over the next three years; 36 of those workers will be at Gates Corp. in Siloam Springs.

The Northwest Arkansas Council released results of its 2013 Regional Employer Survey on Monday at its Springdale headquarters. The survey is part of the annual Employer Retention and Expansion program conducted by Chambers of Commerce in Bentonville/Bella Vista, Fayetteville, Rogers-Lowell, Siloam Springs and Springdale.

To read additional details of the Northwest Arkansas Council’s 2013 Regional Employer Survey turn to page 1D of today’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

By The Numbers

Employer Interviews

The Northwest Arkansas Council and area Chambers of Commerce conducted interviews in 2013 with area employers to create the 2013 Regional Employer Survey.

• 529 interviews

• 2,037 planned hires in over the next three years

• $195 million of planned investment in the next three years

• 21 percent of companies planning on expansions

Source: Northwest Arkansas Council

The regional employee retention and expansion survey started in 2012 and this is its second report.

The jobs at Gates followed a decision company officials made last year to close a plant in Ashe County, N.C. One rubber belt production line moved to Siloam Springs.

Cindy Christopher, human resources manager at the Siloam Springs plant, said part of the company's consolidation plan also moved a line away from Siloam Springs, but the end result was 36 additional jobs locally. Gates' Siloam Springs plant employs more than 500 people.

The closure in North Carolina affected 240 families and Christopher said 77 were offered the opportunity to transfer to Arkansas. About 50 employees visited the area and 30 decided to move the 900 miles. She said about 20 workers have already made the move. Employees opting to move received a relocation allowance.

"It makes it so much better for everyone," she said of having multiple employees transfer together. Gates benefits by having trained employees filling open positions and workers get to start new jobs in a new place with people they already know.

Christopher said Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce workers spent about six months showing potential new residents around the area, setting up meetings with real estate agents and taking them on tours of local schools.

"It's not just the job," she said. "It's about what's available to my family."

Some workers had a hard time leaving family and friends in North Carolina, she said, but in two cases extended family members also made the move.

Wayne Mays, president and chief executive officer of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce, said his organization also helped Gates secure some state incentives through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to move equipment to the area.

"That is the kind of relationship building this program is all about," said Mike Harvey, chief operating officer of the Northwest Arkansas Council.

Mays said the chamber started doing retention and expansion meetings in 2009 and performs about 50 face-to-face interviews each year.

The council used 529 company interviews from the five chambers to compile the 2013 report, Harvey said. The 2012 report involved 459 interviews.

"You need to help grow the companies you have," Mays said.

NW News on 03/11/2014

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