Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and MCM Plastics President Richard Morris announced the company will make a more than $2.7 million capital investment in Livingston Parish to expand its plastics manufacturing operations in Holden. A fixture in the community for two decades, the company culls plastic residue from high-volume producers and recycles the excess materials for use by its customers.
Through the project, MCM Plastics will retain 15 existing jobs in Holden while creating five new direct jobs with an average annual salary of more than $27,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project also will result in 14 new indirect jobs, for a total of 19 new jobs in Livingston Parish and the surrounding area.
“As we witness a new era of growth for Louisiana’s petrochemical industry, it’s exciting to see how that growth spreads through our economy in strategic ways,” Gov. Edwards said. “The decision by MCM Plastics to expand its Holden plant demonstrates how entrepreneurs, making the most of technology and reinvestment, can strengthen our industrial economy in meaningful ways within their communities.”
MCM Plastics operates a 100,000-square-foot plant located just north of U.S. Highway 190 on Dan Pierson Road. The expansion will add a new dryer system to the existing plant by this summer. In a second phase, MCM Plastics plans to bring online an additional dryer and build 25,000 square feet of new warehouse space.
“In the last couple of years, the company has seen growth in the amount of resin processed by both our Houston and Holden facilities,” said MCM Plastics President Richard Morris. “By working with the governing authorities in the State of Louisiana and Livingston Parish, we are grateful for the opportunity to expand our Holden plant so that our operations there can continue to flourish.”
The Livingston Economic Development Council and LED began discussing the potential project with MCM Plastics in January 2019. The company is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program to supports its expansion.
“The continual growth and progress of industry in Livingston Parish is made possible by companies like MCM Plastics Inc.,” said Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks. “Eighteen years ago, the parish was fortunate to have MCM locate a second plant here. Their business success is good news for Livingston Parish, with MCM’s plans for expansion of their Holden plant. I want to extend my congratulations to MCM on their business success and offer my sincere appreciation to them for their continued investment in Livingston Parish.”
In Holden, MCM receives residual polyvinyl chloride resin. Known as pond resin, the PVC resin is a byproduct from the manufacturing vessels at some of the largest plastics manufacturers in the world. MCM dries the resin, screens it to the proper size, and in some cases pulverizes the resin to meet customer specifications for formulating the PVC into piping and other products.
“The LEDC is pleased that MCM Plastics has made the decision to increase the capacity at their Livingston Parish facility through a significant capital investment,” said President David Bennett of the Livingston Economic Development Council. “We welcome the company’s growth in the parish and the boost it provides to the local economy.”
“It is always cause for celebration when local companies recognize the growth potential of the Capital Region and reinvest to expand their operations,” said President and CEO Adam Knapp of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. “MCM Plastics’ announcement today comes with valued local support, and represents an increase in their workforce of more than 30 percent.”