Steel fabricator invests $25M to expand manufacturing facility in Louisiana
Southland Steel Fabricators Inc. has announced plans to expand its production plant in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. The company, which specializes in steel fabrication, will invest $25 million into the project, generating 80 new jobs in the process. The expansion will include 100,000 square feet of production space and the acquisition of cutting-edge welding technology. The company believes that the expansion will increase robotic welding capacity by 50% and double material processing capabilities. The expansion project will begin in 2025 and continue through 2026.
To aid the project, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) provided Southland Steel an incentives package that included a $2.5 million reimbursable grant from the Economic Development Award Program. Additionally, the company is eligible to participate in the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Southland President and CEO Joey Lombardo said, “Southland Steel Fabricators is thrilled to kick off this next phase of growth at our original Greensburg facility. LED’s support is greatly appreciated as we continue to invest in the community we have been a part of since 1986. As a proud Louisiana company, the ability to continuously improve our existing operations reinforces our mission to be a positive force for employment and broader economic growth and development of Greensburg and the state at large.”
Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois added, “Southland’s second expansion project announcement this year says a lot about this company’s commitment to our state, and about what ways manufacturing projects ripple through our economy. We thank them for continuing to create economic opportunity in our rural communities by reinforcing Louisiana’s robust supply chains for essential consumer and industrial goods.”
Manufacturers investing in Louisiana
Steel fabricator invests $3.2M to expand Louisiana manufacturing plant
The project will add 5,600 square feet of advanced fabrication space at FSP’s facility.
Manufacturer invests $17M to add 2 blown film extrusion lines to its Louisiana plant
The expansion will include the installation of two new blown film extrusion lines to support growing demand.
Ice Industries invests $6M to open manufacturing facility in Louisiana to support solar supply chain
The new 150,000-square-foot facility is expected to be operational in 2025 and will focus on roll forming steel back rails for photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
Investing in American manufacturing in 2024
This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn
