TSE International Announces Shreveport Manufacturing Expansion
SHREVEPORT, La. — Today, Gov. Bobby Jindal and TSE International General Manager Rob Barlow announced the company will make a $1.18 million capital investment to expand its Shreveport-area manufacturing center. The company will create 30 new direct jobs with an average salary of $40,000 per year, plus benefits, and retain 62 existing jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 42 new indirect jobs, for a total of more than 70 new jobs in the Northwest Region of Louisiana.
TSE International, a leading manufacturer of tension-stringing equipment for the electric utility industry, will expand its Shreveport manufacturing facility by 10,000 square feet, a 34 percent expansion of its existing space. The building project, which is underway now, will create more than 30 construction jobs and be completed by the third quarter of 2015.
Gov. Jindal said, “When we took office in 2008, we committed ourselves to improving our business climate and workforce capabilities so that companies like TSE International could expand and create great new career opportunities for Louisiana families. This project is a classic example of how our efforts are paying off. Today, there are more people working in Louisiana than ever before. We will continue to assist employers throughout the state in becoming more competitive, so that they can secure the future of their existing workforce while creating new jobs for future generations.”
Through its expansion project, TSE International will create a dedicated machine shop area while more than doubling the site’s current welding capacity. An expanded warehouse and assembly department will be included as the company adds capacity for filling international as well as domestic orders for its specialized equipment.
“TSE International has been located in Shreveport, Louisiana, since the 1970s, and we’re pleased to be able to invest in expanding our operations here,” Barlow said. “This location allows us easy access to suppliers and shipping ports throughout the Southern U.S. Our experienced employees, centered in the Shreveport area, drive our success and growth. Being able to significantly expand our skilled workforce by attracting people from the entire region is another reason we choose to expand at our current location.”
LED began discussing the potential expansion project with TSE International in July 2014. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered the company a competitive incentive package that includes a performance-based $200,000 Economic Development Award Program grant to offset the cost of site infrastructure improvements. TSE International also will receive the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart® – the nation’s No. 1-ranked state workforce development program – and the company is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
Hiring for the newly created TSE International jobs will begin in the first quarter of 2015.
“The Caddo Commission is pleased to support TSE with its expansion plans,” said Caddo Parish Commission President Doug Dominick. “So often, the focus is placed on recruiting new employers, but when an existing company chooses to expand and grow in Northwest Louisiana, it is a true testament to our the great business climate. The Caddo Commission is very excited that TSE is creating new jobs in rural Caddo Parish.”
“North Louisiana Economic Partnership is pleased to have assisted TSE with its expansion,” NLEP President Scott Martinez said. “We commend the company’s commitment to Caddo Parish and will continue to help TSE recruit the workforce it needs to be successful in North Louisiana.”
About TSE International
For generations, TSE International has provided the electric utilities of America and their contractors with custom-engineered equipment to meet every overhead and underground tension-stringing requirement. TSE designs and manufactures America’s most complete range of engineered pulling and tensioning equipment and accessories for every cable size, application and environment. Since 1984, TSE International has been a member company of The Timberland Group. For more information, visit Timberland-Group.com/TSE.
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