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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Koppers Utility and Industrial Products Plans Vernon Parish, Louisiana, Manufacturing Operations

08/30/2023
Koppers Utility and Industrial Products Inc., the second largest producer of utility poles in the U.S., plans to establish production operations in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. The $17 million project is expected to create 38 jobs.

The new facility, located on a 105-acre site, will house peeling and drying equipment used in the company’s utility pole manufacturing process. Operations are scheduled to begin in early 2024.

"We are excited to invest in this new Leesville site as we continue to expand our pole and piling business into underserved markets,” Koppers President and CEO Leroy Ball said. ”Leesville is uniquely situated to enable us to do just that. While this site will initially feed the Texas market, we hope to eventually add additional capacity to also feed the Midwest utility markets. We look forward to being a part of the welcoming Leesville community.”

The project is being supported by the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs.

“With abundant natural resources and a ready workforce, Louisiana’s rural communities continue to demonstrate the advantages they have to offer new and expanding businesses,” Governor John Bel Edwards noted. “I thank Koppers for choosing Louisiana to expand its U.S. operations, and welcome the economic activity this project will stimulate and the new jobs it will create for the hard-working people in Leesville and Vernon Parish.”

Koppers Utility and Industrial Products Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koppers Holdings Inc. Koppers is an integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals and carbon compounds. The company has facilities located in North America, South America, Australasia and Europe.

"We are very happy to join our partners in Vernon Parish in welcoming Koppers to our region,” Louisiana Central president and CEO Jim Clinton added. “Building on our amazing forestry resources, this plant will make a meaningful positive impact both in its construction and ongoing operations. Congratulations to all."

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