Made in Arkansas: Crafting luxurious custom aircrafts

Link to video: http://sherwood.todaysthv.com/news/news/401253-made-arkansas-crafting-luxurious-custom-aircrafts

SHERWOOD, Ark. (KTHV) -- Like many American success stories, Custom Aircraft Cabinets in Sherwood started from creative and humble beginnings. It's not unusual to see Paul Reesnes and Mike Gueringer checking in with their employees at Custom Aircraft Cabinets together.

You see, for nearly 30 years they've been friends first and business owners second. "Mike and I think a lot alike," says Reesnes.

Gueringer explains, "We build custom aircraft furniture."

Everything from seats, to cabinets to upholstery, this company is the only one of its kind in Arkansas.

"Quality is our biggest asset," says Reesnes. "We love everything about it."

Their masterpieces grace the interiors of some of the most advanced and luxurious custom aircrafts in the world. It's a business 25 years strong with roots that started in a tiny garage in North Little Rock in 1989.

"It's very custom and very detailed," Gueringer says. "We had a dream but we never imagined it actually coming true."

But it did. So much in fact, growth prompted an expansion to a 40,000 square foot facility. Still, after several add-ons, they needed more space. So, they moved again in 2012 to a 15 acre site with 146,000 square feet. They have 10x12 work stations. There's 116 of them.

Reesnes adds, "There are a lot of businesses that depend on these aircrafts to promote their business and get more business."

Their clients include Dassault Falcon Jet, Beechcraft and Lombardi. They produce products for companies all over the world.

There's also an intense training program to work there. Because the field is so specialized, there is a great need for highly qualified staff. Gueringer says it can take three to four years to properly teach an employee.

"There are only a certain number of skilled workers in the industry."

In the next 10 years they hope to double their staff and production. It's a business plan Gueringer and Reesnes are committed to achieving. They say doing it in Arkansas is what makes it so special.

"We are really proud to be here and doing what we are doing in the place that we love."