ARI supplies railcar parts, works with other industries

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ARI supplied parts for the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, for the Hurricane Katrina recovery and for motorcycle manufacturers. But its main responsibility is manufacturing over 3,000 different parts for the rail industry.

Workers at Jackson's American Railcar Industries, Inc. plant definitely help make the world go 'round.

ARI is one of the leading manufacturers of rail parts and accessories in the United States.

At the 120,000-square foot Jackson plant, ARI can manufacture over 3,000 different parts, said Dean Sawyer, sales director for ARI's Special Products division. On any given day, ARI -- headquartered in St. Charles, Mo. -- has the capability to build 50 railcars, which carry such goods as grain and flour all over the country. Since 1985, the Jackson plant has been sending its railcar parts to Arkansas for assembly.

ARI

The company can also repair railcars, while also providing consultation, management and engineering services for the railcar industry, though the Jackson plant primarily supplies parts to assembly plants.

But ARI isn't solely hitched to the railcar industry. It can do just about anything that involves metal.

For example, ARI provided many metal parts used in building the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau. More recently ARI has supplied fabricated parts for the rebuilding of New Orleans since the hurricane.

ARI also makes flag poles, and has supported motorcycle manufacturers in places such as Wichita, Kansas, famous for making Chopper motorcycles.

If need be, the Jackson plant could operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a testament to the plant's high employment numbers and efficient machining skills.

The Jackson plant is proud to know that it can it can work on many different projects simultaneously, Sawyer said.

In order to keep business coming its way, Sawyer said the Jackson plant relies on forming strong work-relationships with its customers. This means making accurate assessments of how long a project will take to complete, as well as and how much it will cost. Deliver on time, Sawyer said, and the good word will spread.

Like all businesses this last year affected by the major economic downturn, the Jackson plant and ARI have seen a decrease in business. Yet, ARI is still expecting to expand the company by opening up businesses in Germany and India. The company is viewing these overseas ventures as being complementary with the U.S. market, Sawyer said.

These moves overseas are in line with the company's decision in 2006 to become a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

For any customers wanting more information about the Jackson plant, visit americanrailcar.com

For more information about the Jackson plant, call 573-243-8179.

-- AD