The 18,000-square-foot facility will be used for engineering and customer support services in VP's south-central region. Steel purchasing and manufacturing scheduling also will be done in the new facility, which is in the southeast vicinity of Pine Bluff.

This is the third move for VP, which has been a part of the Pine Bluff business community since 1948. In 1956, the company moved from its original location on the outskirts of Pine Bluff to the center of the city at West 17th Street.

Officials from the Pine Bluff community and VP Buildings officially opened the facility on October 26. Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus, Jr. cut a large red ribbon in front of the new offices. Chuck Haslebacher, president of VP Buildings, along with several members of VP's senior management group, also participated in the event.

More than 120 people, including VP employees, the police and fire chiefs and red-coat clad members of the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce witnessed the ceremony.

The new facility was formerly a church building which had been erected by a local independent Authorized VP Builder using VP materials.

"That fact it is an original VP Building makes this facility even more special," said David Gober, director of purchasing.

About VP Buildings
Based in Memphis, Tennessee, VP Buildings engineers and manufactures steel building systems for low-rise commercial applications, including manufacturing, warehouse, school and commercial applications. The company markets its products through a network of more than 1,000 independent authorized builders. VP Buildings, which has affiliations in Europe, Asia and South America, is AISC certified.