Hytrol Welcomes Louis Cowie as Vice President of Manufacturing Operations in Fort Smith

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Hytrol Conveyor Company is proud to welcome Louis Cowie as Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at the company’s Fort Smith facility.

With more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing, Cowie brings a proven track record of operational excellence, employee engagement and a passion for continuous improvement. A native of Paris, Arkansas, he was drawn to Hytrol because of its deep community roots, strong values and focus on faith and family.

“I was drawn to Hytrol because of its strong foundation as a locally rooted, privately held company with a clear commitment to faith and community involvement,” said Cowie. “Hytrol’s dedication to employee empowerment, engagement and continuous learning aligns perfectly with my professional values and goals. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to a company that fosters both personal and organizational growth.”

Cowie holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and brings a diverse background across multiple industries. His previous roles include Production Manager at General Motors, Director of Manufacturing for Haworth Office Furniture, Vice President of Operations for VIP Cinema Seating, Vice President of Production for The Shade Store and Chief Operating Officer for Balfour & Co.

Throughout his career, Cowie has been recognized for excellence, earning the Best of the Best Award at General Motors and the Chairman’s Honor Award at Haworth.

In his new role at Hytrol, Cowie will oversee manufacturing operations in Fort Smith with a focus on employee attraction and retention, increasing production capacity and meeting the company’s growing demand. He plans to work closely with COO Jason Peters, Todd McClung (VP of Manufacturing Operations) and other Jonesboro and Fort Smith operations leaders to ensure continued operational success.

“Louis brings exceptional experience and a leadership approach that aligns with Hytrol’s core values,” said Jason Peters, Chief Operations Officer. “His focus on people, process and purpose will help strengthen our operations in Fort Smith and support our continued growth.”

Cowie is passionate about fostering a culture of continuous learning, teamwork and civic responsibility, ensuring that Hytrol continues to be a company which employees are proud to be part of.

Outside of work, Louis and his wife Eva enjoy cooking, home projects, motorcycling, riding side by side and playing golf. They have four children and two grandchildren, and Cowie remains close with his six siblings, most of whom still live nearby.

About Hytrol:

Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of material handling systems for a wide range of industries. Since its founding, the company has been committed to advancing the material handling industry through innovation and continuous improvement. As the largest conveyor manufacturer in the United States, Hytrol designs, develops, and delivers some of the most advanced systems available. These solutions are supported by Hytrol’s Integration Partner Network—a group of more than 100 independent businesses worldwide that work directly with customers to design, implement, and maintain systems tailored to their needs. For more information on Hytrol, visit hytrol.com.