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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Oxlean Manufacturing Invests $2.1 Million To Expand Walker, Louisiana, Steel Fabrication Facility

12/08/2014
Oxlean Manufacturing will invest $2.1 million to expand and modernize the steel fabrication facility it acquired earlier this year in Walker, Louisiana. The firm plans to create 73 new jobs at the facility in Livingston Parish and the Capital Region.

The new project will include the installation of advanced robotic technology, along with the use of affiliated, sophisticated software to expand and modernize the company’s production of steel products. Oxlean is expanding the manufacturing facilities on its five-acre site by 75 percent, to 28,000 square feet of production area. The company specializes in structural steel applications for the petrochemical industry, oil and gas production firms, and commercial development customers.

“During this holiday season, on behalf of the ownership and management of Oxlean Manufacturing LLC, we are thankful for our many employees, customers, lenders and trade partners who have helped us get off the ground,” Oxlean Manufacturing President and CEO Dale Huval said. “We are equally blessed with the hard work and hometown service we have received from Governor Jindal’s office, Louisiana Economic Development, the Livingston Economic Development Council and the City of Walker. With Oxlean’s investment in modern, automated and robotic steel-processing machinery, we endeavor to provide quality workmanship delivered on time.”

Equipment installation and initial construction activity are under way at Oxlean, with the entire expansion project to be completed by the third quarter of 2016. The company has begun hiring and will add 23 new jobs by the end of 2015 while reaching full employment of all 73 new jobs over the next decade.

To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered Oxlean a competitive incentive package that includes a $200,000 performance-based Economic Development Award Program forgivable loan to offset the costs of building and site improvements, along with the comprehensive solutions of LED FastStart workforce development program. The company also is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and industrial Tax Exemption programs.

Governor Bobby Jindal said, “Oxlean Manufacturing’s new steel expansion is more proof that business is booming in Louisiana. More and more companies are investing here in our state and helping continue our economic growth, and this expansion is one more strong vote of confidence for our oil and gas industry and skilled energy and manufacturing workforce. Oxlean’s investment will create great new jobs in Livingston Parish for years to come and will help Louisiana continue to be the best place in the world to pursue a great career and raise a family.”

Mayor Rick Ramsey said. “The metal works production facility located within our city limits has a long history with Walker, changing ownership many times over the years. The recent purchase by Oxlean Manufacturing and the ownership’s commitment to renovation and expansion of the facility will result in creation of new jobs and additional revenue for the city. This is truly good news for the City of Walker.”

Randy Rogers, President and CEO of the Livingston Economic Development Council said, “Oxlean Manufacturing is a valued member of our business community, and their expansion project fits perfectly with our economic development goals of creating quality jobs and additional capital investment in our parish.”

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