NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- L'Oréal Groupe today commemorated the 50th anniversary of the beauty leader's flagship makeup manufacturing facility in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Today's event marked another major milestone in L'Oréal's continued and expanding US business presence, following the recent completion of the company's new North America Research & Innovation Center in Clark, New Jersey, earlier this year.
The North Little Rock, Arkansas site plays a pivotal role in the production of L'Oréal's expansive Consumer Products portfolio, as it specializes in the production of mascara and liquid makeup products. Built in 1975, it was the original production site for Maybelline New York, which has grown to be the #1 cosmetics brand globally. Today, its demonstrated excellence in manufacturing and operations stretches across additional consumer brands including the company's namesake brand, L'Oréal Paris, and its nail polish brand, Essie.
"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. "L'Oréal has a unique way of putting down roots across our sites, embedding ourselves into the community and creating lasting, meaningful impact. We look forward to a bright future of growth and continued best-in-class performance to meet and exceed the evolving needs of the American beauty consumer."
Today, the North Little Rock campus stands as the highest volume color cosmetics manufacturing facility in L'Oréal's global network of 36 plants, employing nearly 450 full-time skilled workers. The plant is responsible for manufacturing a substantial portion of L'Oréal's USA's cosmetics product volume and, generally, cosmetics products across the US. Half of all mascaras sold in the country are, in fact, manufactured in the North Little Rock plant with the facility producing 8 of 10 of the best-selling eye franchises.* Since its inception, the plant has more than doubled in size through seven major expansions, including adding its own distribution center. The plant has been fueled by over $230 million in L'Oréal capital investments since 2001 in response to increasing demand for the company's color cosmetics in the United States and abroad.
"The North Little Rock plant exemplifies L'Oréal's commitment to operational excellence and our pride in our industrial capabilities," said Pankaj Gupta, Chief Operations Officer for North America. "This facility not only serves the needs of American consumers but, also, plays a vital role in bringing iconic American brands to beauty lovers around the world."
The anniversary was marked today by a gathering of state and federal officials, including Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Senator John Boozman, Senator Tom Cotton, Congressman Rick Crawford, and Congressman French Hill. The event included an on-site tour and celebratory remarks to the plant's workforce community.
Governor Huckabee Sanders offered remarks recalling, "L'Oréal was one of, if not the first, international company to call Central Arkansas home and it has been an anchor for our state and this entire region. Now we're home to many multinational companies right here in Central Arkansas, but that wouldn't have happened or wouldn't have been possible without the presence of this company leading the way and leading the charge."
Overall, L'Oréal Groupe operates 22 facilities in the United States across 16 states, encompassing manufacturing, distribution, research and innovation, and administration, demonstrating the company's more than 70-year commitment to the US market. The Groupe's manufacturing expertise in the United States spans advanced skincare, haircare, and liquid makeup production, leveraging three additional manufacturing facilities in Franklin, NJ, Piscataway, NJ, and Florence, KY.
About L'Oréal USA
L'Oréal USA is the largest subsidiary of the L'Oréal Groupe, the world's leading beauty company. Through its management of over 35 iconic beauty brands, L'Oréal USA generated more than $11 billion in sales in 2024. Products are available across all distribution channels including hair salons, department stores, mass market, pharmacies, medi-spas, e-commerce and more. L'Oréal USA's commitment to growth is generated through sustainable innovation and driven by the company's L'Oréal for the Future ambition which demonstrates sustainable development across the Group's value chain. The company is headquartered in New York City, employs more than 12,000 people, and operates administrative, research, manufacturing and distribution facilities across 16 states.
*The above statistic is from a L'Oréal Groupe internal compilation of US data from Nielson, NPD Prestige, Profitero, Profitero Tech Dash, & Rakuten for the full year of 2024.
SOURCE L'Oreal USA
Share this article