Vancouver, Washington, US-based welded steel pipe producer Northwest Pipe Company (Northwest Pipe) has announced the beginning of work on a major revitalization of its facility in Bossier City, which has been idle for three years.
The 27-acre plant in Bossier City will be used by Northwest Pipe to manufacture oil country tubular goods (OCTG) and pipes for the oil and gas industry, and will allow the company to strengthen its presence in the energy market. "We are committed to the energy pipe business, and we believe in Bossier City as an excellent manufacturing location," Northwest Pipe's CEO Brian Dunham said.
The plant is expected to be recommissioned by mid-2010, and will create up to 120 jobs at an average salary of $39,000 plus benefits.
Northwest Pipe's investment in Bossier City will be completed in two phases. The first phase of the project includes relocating an existing modernized mill from Northwest Pipe's plant in Portland, Oregon. Once operational, the mill will produce pipes of 2.375 inches to seven inches in diameter with wall thicknesses up to 0.375 inches, and will involve 50 employees in meeting the 120,000 ton production capacity. Currently in the planning stage, the second phase of the project will add further processing and inspection, which will create up to 70 jobs.
Northwest Pipe has not disclosed the cost of the revitalization, but has said that the project represents the company's largest internal investment project in its history.
The company intends to apply for two state economic incentive programs, i.e., 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.