DEL Corporation Announces $4.3 Million Manufacturing Expansion In Scott

SCOTT, La. — Today, Gov. Bobby Jindal and DEL Corporation President Bob Kulbeth announced a $4.3 million, 40,000-square-foot expansion of the company’s manufacturing facility in Scott. The expanded facility will result in increased efficiency and production capacity at the plant and will create 90 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $62,600, plus benefits. The company also will retain 50 existing jobs, and Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 200 new indirect jobs, for a total of 290 new jobs in the state. The company estimates 77 construction jobs will be generated during the building phase.

At its Scott facility, DEL designs and manufactures customized tank systems, along with solids-separation and dewatering equipment for customers around the globe. The company estimates the expansion will enable an increase in production capacity of more than 300 percent, and will feature computer numerical control – or CNC – plate-rolling equipment, press brakes and plasma tables, as well as automated and robotic welding equipment.

Gov. Jindal said, “DEL Corporation joins a long list of Louisiana employers whose confidence in our business climate has led to increased investment and great new jobs for our people. Since 2008, we’ve improved our state’s business climate by overhauling our governmental ethics laws, streamlining our workforce development programs, reining in government spending and taxes, and enacting education reforms that give more children access to a great education. As a result, Louisiana has a business climate where companies like Del Corporation can thrive and expand. We’re proud that DEL Corporation chose to expand and create another great win for the Acadiana Region.“

Founded as Drilling Equipment of Lafayette in 1979, the company became DEL International Inc. in 1980, providing major drilling rig components for the oilfield drilling industry. Soon after, the company began expanding into the environmental services industry, providing mix tanks and shakers to a new client base, leading to the creation of DEL Tank & Filtration Systems. DEL Tank and DEL International merged in 1996 to be come DEL Corporation.

“As we ramp up production from this new facility over the next ten years, we intend to hire 22 professionals in engineering and design and 68 specialists, such as CNC operators, welders, electricians and equipment technicians, as well as sales and clerical support staff,” Kulbeth said. “The number-one reason for expanding in Louisiana and particularly the Acadiana Area is the work ethic of the people. I have worked on projects all over the United States and nowhere have I found people that work like the people of Acadiana.”

LED’s Business Expansion and Retention Group, or BERG, began discussing the potential project with company officials in August 2014. To secure the project, the state offered DEL a competitive incentive package that includes a $215,000 Modernization Tax Credit incentive, to be claimed over five years, along with the services of LED FastStart^® – the nation’s No. 1-ranked state workforce training program. The company also is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

Construction on the DEL expansion began this month, and the expected completion date is March 2015. The company also has begun the hiring process for the 90 new jobs at the Scott facility.

“I would like to thank DEL Corporation for their commitment to the City of Scott,” said Scott Mayor Purvis Morrison. “Quality jobs are the key component for any city, and DEL’s investment that will create 90 new jobs and retain 50 existing jobs is huge for our city. As the City of Scott looks to continue to bring in new quality jobs, it is also so important to retain our existing workforce, like DEL Corporation. The City of Scott’s growth in manufacturing jobs is a key to our successful growth.”

“Manufacturing is one of Acadiana’s key wealth creators,” said President and CEO Gregg Gothreaux of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. “Not only is this expansion reflective of DEL Corporation’s growth and success, but it exemplifies the overall success of the manufacturing sector in the region. The 90 new jobs created through this expansion and the existing 50 jobs are the kinds of quality jobs the residents of Scott, Lafayette Parish and Acadiana are looking for. We look forward to working with Mr. Kulbeth and the DEL team as their project progresses.”

About DEL
DEL Corporation specializes in the design, manufacturing, sales, and rental of customized tank systems and equipment for all types of dredging, dewatering, solids-separation, solids-control and solids-handling projects. DEL provides comprehensive solutions for its customers throughout North and South America, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. DEL services multiple industries across the globe, including environmental, construction, chemical/petrochemical, pulp and paper manufacturing, mining, oilfield/drilling, dredging, wastewater treatment and power plants. DEL’s 23-acre manufacturing site in Scott, Louisiana, offers full-service design and manufacturing for its customers’ unique equipment requirements. DEL also maintains a comprehensive rental fleet that includes its patented Total Clean Systems, mobile mix tanks, slurry and scalping systems, linear shakers, hydrocyclones, pumps, filter presses, clarifier/thickeners and conveyors. For more information, visit DELtank.com.