New manufacturing jobs coming to Mansfield

MANSFIELD, La. - In 1908, Mansfield began its legacy as a major logging and lumber city when a number of the industries, mills and factories were founded. The last of the significant manufacturing jobs left 15 years ago. 

Global Seamless Tubes & Pipes, a leading manufacturer and exporter of carbon, alloy and stainless steel cold drawn and hot finish seamless tubes and pipes, announced it will invest $35 million to establish its first U.S. production facility in northwest Louisiana.

The India-based company expects to create 135 direct new jobs in DeSoto Parish. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 251 indirect new jobs, for a total of 386 potential new jobs in the Northwest Region.

Global Seamless exports its products to industry customers in more than 10 countries worldwide. Its Louisiana facility will have advanced machinery that integrates both hot finishing and cold drawn manufacturing processes in the same unit, positioning the company to better meet growing demand and build a domestic supply chain for North American customers in engineering, oil and gas and power generation. 

Global Seamless CEO Pankaj Dhanuka says after the former Hendrix facility popped up on an online search, he made a trip to Mansfield to tour the facility.

Dhanuka said, "We thought about repurposing an existing factory, and this is one of the places that came up on an internet search, so I made a trip here. We felt this is a good place to be able to get manpower because that was one of my biggest concern. I can set up a facility, but what about qualified manpower?"

The North Louisiana Economic Development Partnership worked with the company and local governments from the DeSoto Parish Police Jury to the mayor's office to bring manufacturing jobs back to Mansfield.

NLEP CEO Justyn Dixon said, "From the state, city, and parish level, it takes everybody working together and working relentlessly. This is a very tough sport that we're in, in economic development. If you come in second, you get zero and you spend a lot of money to get there."

Mayor Thomas Jones, Jr., used to work in the old foundry himself. Now as Mayor of Mansfield, he's thrilled to help bring the new facility to the city.

"When I was in college in 1980," Jones said, "I came to work here one summer. It was Hendrix Manufacturing Company. I never did think I'll be standing here announcing another venture about to start in 2024. As mayor of Mansfield."

To find out how to apply for one of the new manufacturing jobs, click here.