Drum company may bring operations to Blytheville

C&C Custom Drums is looking to expand the company's operations, and that expansion may be making its way to Blytheville in the not-so-distant future.

Currently, C&C makes its home in Kansas City, Mo., but owner and Blytheville native Billy Cardwell said as he began looking at expanding his company, he felt Blytheville would be a good home for this endeavor. C&C creates custom drum kits to match a buyer's exact specifications. These creations include custom sizes, wood plies, finishes and hardware, the latter of which is the only aspect not currently being done "in house."

All drum hardware is currently being made overseas, specifically in Taiwan. Cardwell is looking to bring this aspect of the drum making industry back to the United States, giving C&C, as well as other U.S. companies, the ability to send out drums that bolster the title "100 percent American made."

"This is something that's not currently done here, it's all done in Taiwan. I'd love to be able to bring this industry back to the U.S. though," Cardwell said.

The expansion would account for roughly 20 percent of C&C's business, according to Cardwell, but holds the potential for exponential growth. The Blytheville site would be responsible for making all of the metal hardware used on these drums and would be the only place in the U.S. producing these products. Cardwell said there's also a possibility that the site could be used as a finishing plant for C&C's newly released "Player Date" production line, which he says has become more popular then he originally had anticipated the line to be.

Cardwell said he's currently looking at the cost efficiency for moving the hardware production from Taiwan to Blytheville, adding that the wage scale is very similar between the two places. Cardwell said the plant could eventually open up about 40 new jobs for the area, with room for growth as the company's needs change. While he's hopeful for the new site in Blytheville, he's taking his time making sure it's a feasible move for the company.

"It's all about dollars and cents," Cardwell said, "I'd love to bring this to Blytheville. I still have ties there. It's where I grew up, it's home. But I have to make sure it's the best move."

Mississippi County Economic Developer officer Clif Chitwood said he's already been in contact with Cardwell and is very interested in making this happen here in Blytheville.

"We're interested in doing whatever we can to make Blytheville a profitable place for him to do business," Chitwood said, "He's doing his due diligence right now, and that takes time. As they progress, we'll certainly do everything we can to make this a good home for them."

For more information about C&C Custom Drums visit www.candccustomdrums.com.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com