German company to build facility at the Port of Caddo-Bossier
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: October 26, 2012
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal today announced that a European company will open its first North American plant at the Port of Caddo-Bossier.
Benteler Steel/Tube, a German company, will break ground next spring at the Port. The company, which makes steel tubes used in oil and gas exploration, will invest $900 million in the new facility. It will create 675 direct full time jobs, along with 1,000 construction jobs.
The company received 100 applications from 13 states, but chose northwest Louisiana due to its proximity and access to energy customers, along with a strong and capable work force in the area. Twenty-five percent of Benteler's North America business is in Texas and Louisiana.
No date has been set to begin hiring, but he company will break ground on the facility during the spring of 2013 with the number of employees gradually increasing from ground breaking through the second half of 2015. Benteler will be looking to fill management positions along with production line workers, skilled steel workers and electrical specialists.
Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal, says the estimated total economic impact on the region through 2035 will be $16.2 billion.
