Linde Process Plants (LPP) will invest $2.4 million to expand its existing fabrication facility located at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, company officials announced.
The project includes construction of a new office building and the expansion of a trial fitting area. Company officials say a combination of recent and future growth as well as the desire to improve safety prompted the expansion. Steve Bertone, CEO and president of LPP said, "We are pleased to be at the forefront of plant modularization and these upgrades will yield even more opportunities to develop and streamline our processes."
The new office building will be a two-story, 13,000 square-foot structure. It will be located across the street in close proximity to fabrication activity. Bertone explained the added space allows for future staff growth and the new location provides a more effective, safe environment for fabrication.
Before shipping completed modules to customers, LPP conducts a trial fit to ensure the modules have been fabricated according to specifications. Relocating office workers to a new site allows for more room to trial fit modules, adding efficiency and improving overall productivity. "The expansion will allow for improved productivity, quality control measures and most importantly safety" said Eric Sandefur, director of manufacturing.
"Employing over 400 people, Linde Process Plants plays an integral role in the Tulsa region's economic success," said Mike Neal, president and CEO, Tulsa Regional Chamber. "Linde's expansion paves the way for job growth and increased impact on the region."
The new building will include state-of-the-art safe rooms, providing a safe haven for office workers. An existing safe room is already established in the separate workshop for employees located there. The projected completion date for the new structure is June 2015.
"We are very proud to have Linde Process Plants as a member of our industrial family," said Bob Portiss, port director, Tulsa Port of Catoosa. "One of the key factors attributable to their success and the principal reason they located at the Port is the availability of barge, rail, and truck transportation services to move the large modular units they build. They are the epitome of the type of industry within the Tulsa Region that benefits from the Port."
LPP's Port of Catoosa operation includes both manufacturing operations as well as office personnel such as workshop management, project management, workshop safety, quality control group and administrative staff. The company presently employs approximately 140 people at the Port of Catoosa location, with plans to increase that number to 160 by the end of the year.
About Tulsa Port of Catoosa
The 2,500-acre Tulsa Port of Catoosa complex offers industrial sites for lease, and its Riverview Business Park, adjacent to the Port, offers property for sale. Together they are home to more than 66 companies employing nearly 4,000 employees.
About Linde Process Plants
LPP is a member of the Linde Engineering Division of The Linde Group, a world leading gases and engineering company. LPP is a single-source technology, engineering, procurement and construction firm. Areas of expertise include gas processing, refining, LNG and deep cryogenics. Linde is experiencing an increasing amount of activity for its engineering and natural gas processing plants used to capitalize on the vast amount of shale gas and associated liquids in the US.
About The Linde Group
In the 2013 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of EUR 16.655 bn (USD 23.1 bn), making it the largest gases and engineering company in the world with approximately 63,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
For more information, see LPP online at www.lppusa.com.