01/31/2007
Pipe and Steel Fabrication Plant to Open in Baton Rouge
Lawdan Industries Inc., a Minnesota-based company, recently
announced it will open a pipe and steel fabrication plant in Baton
Rouge this spring. The new plant will create at least 80 new jobs
during the first year of operation.
Lawdan purchased the old Air Liquide facility at 1350 Choctaw
Drive, a six acre site with over 65,000 square feet enclosed. The
company expects to spend about $2 million preparing the location
for its projected opening in April.
Louisiana Economic Development and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber
developed an incentive package for the company which includes the
state's Quality Jobs program, a four to six percent rebate on
payroll for ten years and a rebate on sales taxes for materials
used in refurbishing the facility.
Tim Mielke, a company executive, said initially the site will
concentrate on industrial pipe fabrication and pressurized gas
vessels. Due to the flexibility of the location, Mielke said there
are opportunities for several lines of business. In the future, the
company may expand to serve local petrochemical plants and the
construction industry.
