German industrial packaging firm Mauser Group is investing $10m in a new packaging facility in Geismar, Louisiana, US.
Mauser USA will operate the 40,000ft² packaging and logistics facility, close to the company’s major clients base in Ascension Parish.
It will be situated on a 5-acre site in the Talon Industrial Park on Louisiana Highway 30, between Interstate 10 and River Road.
The plant will manufacture custom-engineered plastic containers for shipping industrial chemicals, and could expand to make other types of packaging.
Mauser USA’s initial project phase, which is expected to create 28 jobs, will support the packaging requirements of chemical manufacturing customers in the Geismar area.
The project has the potential to expand with a second phase that would yield 19 additional jobs, for a total of 47 new direct jobs.
In Ascension Parish, Mauser will manufacture custom-engineered plastic containers for shipment of industrial chemicals in the project’s initial phase.
Additional phases are expected to include steel and other forms of packaging based on industry demand.
Louisiana Governer John Bel Edwards said: “Louisiana is a global leader in the production of petrochemicals, with the Geismar area of Ascension Parish being one of our most important production hubs for this vital industry.
“Mauser’s selection of Louisiana and Geismar signals their recognition of our growth in this sector and the importance of ramping up customer service to support the most important manufacturing markets in America. We welcome one of the world’s industrial packaging leaders to our state and are grateful for their creation of new career opportunities in Louisiana.”
Mauser USA president and CEO Glenn Frommer said: “We’re excited to be investing in a new permanent facility in Louisiana that will deliver Mauser’s industry-leading packaging technology more efficiently to some of the world’s most important industrial manufacturers.
“The strong business climate, strategic supply chain and powerful workforce programs Louisiana offers made this decision a logical one for our company.”
Louisiana Economic Development (LED) started working with Mauser USA on the potential project in December 2015.
The Geismar site is expected to enhance the company’s delivery service, with routes of less than 5 miles replacing out-of-state delivery channels for key customers.
In April this year, Mauser launched a new barrier concept for IBCs and rigid plastics packaging for a circular economy.