Expansion Management

Lubrication Technologies Setting up Shop in Louisiana

Feb. 11, 2014

The plant, which is the company's first in the South, will manufacture lubricants and related fluids for power sports, marine and outdoor power equipment markets.

Adrienne Selko

Lube-Tech CEO Chris Bame announced yesterday a $16 million capital investment by the company in Louisiana, where Lubrication Technologies will renovate a manufacturing facility in Shreveport.

The project will create 75 new direct jobs. The Louisiana Economic Development (LED) organization estimates the project will result in an additional 205 indirect jobs. The Shreveport site represents Lube-Tech’s first major investment in the South.

Lubrication Technologies, based in North Golden Valley, Minn., will manufacture lubricants and related fluids for power sports, marine and outdoor power equipment markets.

The Lube-Tech operations in Shreveport will be located in a 226,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that once housed an automotive supplier for the former General Motors assembly plant in Shreveport.

“Lube-Tech is excited to expand our Custom Brands business serving Power Sports, Marine and Outdoor Power Equipment OEMs to the Southern United States,” Bame said. “Our new Shreveport facility will manufacture, package and distribute specialty lubricants globally. We were pleased with Louisiana Economic Development’s help in finding a location, providing relocation funding, and assisting with employee recruitment and training. LED representatives proactively identified solutions to challenges in an entrepreneurial spirit that reflects our company culture.”

To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered the company a performance-based Economic Development Loan Program incentive of $750,000 and the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart, the nation’s No. 1 state workforce development program. In addition, the company is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

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.