Pineville-based firm to build plant in Tangipahoa

Pineville-based Crest Industries will build a $15 million galvanizing plant in Tangiopahoa Parish.
Crest CEO Kenny Robison said Tuesday that he new plant will serve customers in the electric utility and petrochemical industries. It will furnish galvanized protective coatings for utility poles and equipment, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The galvanizing plant will bring services in-house that formerly were contracted to outside vendors.
The plant will be in the Robert area. Crest
The expansion will create 70 new direct jobs averaging $45,450 per year, plus benefits, a news release said. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in another 95 indirect jobs. Also, an estimated 230 construction jobs will be associated with the project.
Crest will retain its 559 existing jobs in Louisiana.
Construction of the 75,000-square-foot galvanizing facility will begin in early 2014, with a completion date in 2015. Hiring for the facility will begin in 2014, with the majority of the jobs to be filled in 2015. Crest will reach full employment of 70 new jobs at the Tangipahoa Parish site in 2016.
Crest, which has six business subsidiaries, serves a global market of customers in the electric utility, commercial and industrial electrical contractor, and forestry industries.
To secure the project, the state of Louisiana offered an incentive package that includes a $457,500 Economic Development Loan Program award, along with the services of LED FastStart.
Crest also is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.