Gov. Bobby Jindal joined Northwest Pipe Co.'s Tubular Group President Bob Mahoney, Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, or GBEDF, President David Rockett and several local leaders to announce the revitalization of Northwest Pipe's facility in Bossier City, La., that has been idle for three years. Recently, Northwest Pipe Co.'s tubular products group began work on a major revitalization of its dormant Bossier City facility. When fully operational, the retooled facility is expected to create up to 120 jobs at an average annual salary of $39,000, plus benefits.
"Working to retain and expand existing companies is our top economic development priority." said Gov. Jindal. "We've also worked hard to attract companies to revitalize old facilities that were once major employers for different regions in our state. Today, we're marking the rebirth of yet another idled facility.
"Northwest Pipe's decision to reinvest in our state and revitalize its manufacturing operations in Bossier City will build upon Northwest Louisiana's recent economic momentum. Louisiana continues to attract new investment at a time when investment has been dwindling throughout the country."
To strengthen its presence in the energy market, Northwest Pipe Co.'s tubular products group is refitting the once idle 27-acre plant to manufacture oil country tubular goods, or OCTG, and pipe for the oil and gas industry.
"Reviving manufacturing operations at this facility reinforces our commitment to grow Northwest Pipe Co. during these challenging economic times," said Northwest Pipe Co. CEO Brian Dunham. "Bossier City is ideally located to serve our energy pipe customers. Based upon their market demand, we hope to recommission the plant by mid-2010. We are committed to the energy pipe business, and we believe in Bossier City as an excellent manufacturing location."
Northwest Pipe Co.'s investment in Bossier City will be completed in two phases. Phase I includes relocating a recently modernized existing mill from its Portland, Ore., facility. Once operational, the mill will produce pipe that is 2.375 inches to seven inches in diameter with wall thicknesses up to .375 inches. The project represents the company's largest internal investment project in its history. When fully operational, Phase I will require 50 permanent and full-time employees to meet the 120,000 ton production capacity. Currently in the planning stage, Phase II of the project will add further processing and inspection, which will create up to 70 jobs.
"Northwest Pipe Co.'s commitment to re-establish its facility in Bossier City is a great victory for this community," said Rockett. "In the midst of a national recession, our area continues to compete with major metro areas for projects and we are winning. Announcements like these prove that we have something special to offer here in Northwest Louisiana."
Northwest Pipe Co. is expected to use the Louisiana Quality Jobs program and the Industrial Tax Exemption Program. Additionally, the company will partially finance the project through Recovery Zone Facility Bonds issued by the Caddo-Bossier Port Commission.
About Northwest Pipe Co.
Headquartered in Vancouver, Wash., Northwest Pipe manufactures welded steel pipe and other products in two business segments, water transmission and tubular products. Its water transmission group is a leading supplier of large diameter, high pressure steel pipe products that are used primarily for water infrastructure in North America. Its tubular products group manufactures smaller diameter steel pipe for a wide range of construction, agriculture, energy, industrial and mechanical applications. Northwest Pipe Co. operates 10 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico.