Expansion Management

P&G Expands in Louisiana

Nov. 15, 2012

Detergent maker shifts jobs from Georgia facility.

A plant expansion in Pineville, Louisiana set the stage for a transfer of jobs from one Procter & Gamble (IW 500/11) plant to another.

While the Augusta, Georgia plant will lose 160 jobs over the next 12-18 months, the Louisiana facility will gain 50.

The shift is due to the company moving its powdered-detergent operations from Georgia to Louisiana facility which already makes liquid detergent.

The officials say many of those employees will be offered jobs at other company locations in the U.S.

"P&G is a great company and a great corporate citizen in Central Louisiana," said Jim Clinton, CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. "The productivity of the workforce at the Pineville plant has created another opportunity to expand the company's footprint here. We are deeply grateful for this decision and for P&G's continued growth in our region."

In March, P&G completed a $100 million expansion at its Pineville facility to enable the plant and the company to deliver one of its newest products, Tide Pods, which launched in February.

To secure the expansion, Louisiana offered P&G a performance-based grant of $3.4 million to offset a portion of the costs for new training facilities, infrastructure and equipment, as well as use of the state's Retention and Modernization Program, Gov. Bobby Jindal's office said.

The company also is expected to make use of the state's Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

In addition, P&G will receive a customized workforce solution from LED FastStart to create a customized workforce recruitment program, applicant screening and training development.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.