Area Development
Flexsteel Pipeline Technologies Inc. (FlexSteel) will invest $94.8 million in a new 280,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Baytown, Texas, and create 130 new jobs, Gov. Rick Perry has announced.

FlexSteel designs and manufactures a unique, spooled pipeline that is more durable than traditional steel line pipe, and quicker and more cost-efficient to install. Its anti-corrosive properties, coupled with its durability of steel, makes it a viable solution for the transport of oil, gas and other fluids.

CEO Jeff Shorter said the state's investment of $650,000 in the project through the Texas Enterprise Fund was "instrumental" in his company's location decision. He added that the Ameriport Industrial Park site is ideal for the new facility as it's situated near Interstate-10 and the Port of Houston, and has on-site rail service and other amenities.

"We are confident that Baytown's history of hard-working people will help us greatly expand our capacity and responsibly deliver the next generation of steel line pipe," noted Shorter. "The grand opening of this facility in 2012 will support the growing demand for our products."