A locally owned specialty contractor will be merging three locations into their new headquarters in Smithfield next year.
Atlantic Resources Inc. (ARI) was started in 2010 by Brian and Tonya Barefoot of Benson. The company currently employs 25 workers at locations in Florence, SC, Statesville, NC and Raleigh, NC. The company recently purchased the former Jerold manufacturing building on South Brightleaf Boulevard. The 85,000 square foot facility has been vacant for more than 20 years.
Brian Barefoot said he plans to add 35 new jobs, with a total staff of 60 employees, by the end of 2016. The total investment in the Smithfield-Johnston County area by Atlantic Resources is $1.1 million.
“We are from Johnston County and it is a good location,” Barefoot told WTSB News. “Aside from the building needing to be renovated, it’s a prime spot for industry in the town and county. We appreciate the assistance from the Town of Smithfield. Smithfield officials have made the process go smoothly. Atlantic Resources looks forward to being a part of the community.”
Barefoot said hiring would begin in the Spring of 2016 and work will begin at the new Smithfield site once building renovations are completed in the Summer of 2016.
The company provides industrial and agriculture fabrication maintenance support to companies including Caterpillar, Volvo and Honda, and various other manufacturing facilities. ARI will build control cabinets, packaging racking, machine prototypes, and custom material handling products at the Smithfield location.
ARI will also move their subsidiary company, ARI Designs, a design and graphics company to the same location. ARI Designs is a support company to Atlantic Resources in the graphic and engineered design business. ARI Designs is a nationwide design company for high definition graphics, custom designed metal, wood, and composites, and general graphics.
The average salary of the 35 new workers will be $42,000 annually. The project was made possible by a NC Department of Commerce $175,000 building reuse grant approved by the Smithfield Town Council on Sept. 1st that will be administered by the Town but at no cost to local taxpayers.
“On behalf of Mayor Lampe and Council, they are thrilled to sponsor ARI’s building reuse grant application submittal to the N.C. Department of Commerce,” said interim Town Manager Jim Freeman. “Our Council and community leaders know that Smithfield is a wonderful place for business and families. It is great that growing businesses like ARI agree and are committed to improve and advance Smithfield. We trust the N.C. Department of Commerce feels the same.”
