Welspun Announces Another Little Rock Port Expansion
Pipe manufacturer Welspun Tubular LLC announced plans on August 11 for a $150 million expansion of its Little Rock Port facility, a project expected to create 300 jobs.
A formal announcement ceremony was held at the Arkansas State Capitol and was attended by company executives, including Welspun Corp Ltd. Managing Director and CEO Vipul Mathur, along with state officials and local community leaders.
It’s the second major project Welspun has announced at the Little Rock Port in the past year. In October, the company said it would invest $100 million to expand and upgrade its pipe portfolio, creating 175 jobs. That project is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.
“In 2007, Welspun took a chance on the Port of Little Rock and located their manufacturing operation here in our community,” said Bryan Day, executive director of the Little Rock Port Authority. “Welspun quickly became one of the port’s flagship partners and has continued to expand their operations. Today we are celebrating their fourth investment in our community. We are proud to have Welspun as our partner, and we wish them the best of luck with this new endeavor.”
Welspun Tubular is a subsidiary of Welspun Corp Ltd., a division of Welspun World of Mumbai, India. In a news release, the company said it will build a longitudinally submerged arc welded (LSAW) line pipe mill and coating facility at the port. B.K. Goenka, chairman of Welspun World, said the expansion will make the facility the only one in the United States capable of manufacturing line pipes ranging from 6 inches to 56 inches, meeting specifications required for the oil and gas and infrastructure sectors. The LSAW line pipe mill will also enhance Welspun’s ability to serve carbon capture, LNG export and hydrogen pipeline sectors.
“As global energy demand continues to evolve, we remain committed to driving growth and delivering value across our operations,” Mathur said. “This expansion will enable us to offer a comprehensive pipeline solution for our customers, addressing the increasing demand in U.S. energy infrastructure.”
Welspun Tubular has operated in Arkansas for nearly two decades, establishing its manufacturing presence at the Little Rock Port in 2007. Since then, Welspun has made multiple investments in its Little Rock operations, totaling more than $400 million.
The state offered incentives for Welspun’s latest expansion, including the Tax Back program, which provides sales and use tax refunds on the purchase of building materials and taxable machinery; the Create Rebate program, an annual cash rebate based on the number of jobs added by a company and targeted wages; and $3 million from the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund.
