Area Development
Westfield Hydraulics’s affiliate, Westfield Fluid Controls, will make a $5.1 million capital investment to establish a manufacturing facility at Northpark Technology Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The company is relocating an existing manufacturing operation from San Fernando, California, to Lafayette, with plans to create 67 jobs.

Westfield will occupy a 30,000-square-foot facility at Northpark Technology Center along West Pont des Mouton Road. Northpark is one of four Lafayette Parish business parks owned by the Lafayette Economic Development Authority.

“Our new facility is designed to significantly expand our capabilities through vertical integration of the manufacturing process and the leveraging of new technology,” Westfield Hydraulics CEO Robert A. Schacht said. “We see this expansion as vital to better support our customers in the rapid development of highly customized fluid control solutions for space and defense systems. We chose Louisiana because we wanted to be part of a community that was truly focused on supporting aerospace manufacturing. We also found a real understanding, by everyone involved, of the kind of collaboration necessary to produce quality jobs and a workforce that shares our dedication to building a first-rate team.”

To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart® – the top-rated state workforce development program in the U.S. for the past 11 years. In addition, Westfield Fluid Controls will be eligible for a performance-based grant of up to $250,000 to offset the cost of facility construction and equipment in Lafayette. The company also is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

Advanced manufacturing and aerospace are two of the key industries that we are cultivating to grow Louisiana’s economy into the future, and Westfield Fluid Controls covers both of those bases,” Governor John Bel Edwards said. “Westfield considered several other states, but Louisiana’s skilled workforce and attractive business climate helped to secure this exciting project for our state. We welcome the quality jobs this innovative, specialized manufacturing business will create in Lafayette.”

“Lafayette has a rich history of innovation and expertise in manufacturing, from oilfield components to jewelry to food products, which played a role in Westfield Fluid Controls selecting our community for the location of their new state-of-the-art facility,” LEDA CEO Gregg Gothreaux said. “The specialized, high-skilled positions available with the company will offer significant opportunities for local workers with manufacturing or machining experience, while complementing our aviation sector. Today’s announcement is another step in LEDA’s efforts to diversify and grow Lafayette’s business base for future development. Westfield Fluid Controls is the second California-based company to choose Lafayette for a major expansion project this year, which reflects well on our workforce, business climate and quality of life.”

Founded in 1974, Westfield Hydraulics is a leading provider of precision hydraulic and fluid control components for aerospace and defense applications.