Hot on the heels of the completion of the company’s new North America Research & Innovation Center in Clark, New Jersey, earlier this year, L’Oréal Groupe has commemorated the 50th anniversary of its makeup manufacturing facility in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

"Our golden anniversary in North Little Rock reflects our enduring legacy in Arkansas and continued investment in the US," said David Greenberg, CEO of L’Oréal USA and President of the North America Zones.

Mascara and liquid makeup products

Built in 1975, the plant began as the original production site for Maybelline New York, now the world’s leading cosmetics brand. Today, it remains a cornerstone of L’Oréal’s U.S. operations, specializing in mascara and liquid makeup production. The facility produces half of all mascaras sold in the U.S.

Producing 8 of 10 of the company’s best-selling eye franchises, the site supports major consumer brands including L’Oréal Paris, and nail polish brand, Essie.

Since its inception, the plant has more than doubled in size through seven major expansions, including adding its own distribution center. With nearly 450 full-time employees, the site is the highest-volume color cosmetics plant in L’Oréal’s global network of 36 facilities. Since 2001, the company has invested over USD 230 million in its expansion.

"The North Little Rock plant exemplifies L’Oréal’s commitment to operational excellence and our pride in our industrial capabilities," highlighted Pankaj Gupta, Chief Operations Officer for North America.

22 facilities across the U.S.

Executives and public officials — including Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotto, and Congressmen Rick Crawford and French Hill — joined in commemorating the milestone with a plant tour and remarks honoring the site’s local and global impact.

“L’Oréal has helped lay the foundation for Central Arkansas’s international business presence,” said Governor Sanders.

The North Little Rock site is part of L’Oréal’s broader U.S. footprint, which includes 22 facilities across 16 states and reflects a more than 70-year commitment to American manufacturing.

The company’s manufacturing facilities in the United States spans skincare and haircare. Liquid makeup production leverages three additional manufacturing facilities in Franklin, New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, and Florence, Kentucky.