Durable Goods / Manufacturing

Louisiana's durable goods industry is comprised of several elements: Aerospace, Aviation, Manufacturing and Shipbuilding.

Aerospace

Louisiana plays a critical role in the nation's aerospace industry. NASA selected Michoud, a division of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company located in New Orleans, LA, to manufacture and assemble the Crew Launch Vehicle upper stage, which is part of NASA's mission to develop a cost-effective, next-generation space transportation system. The system is part of an effort to safely and reliably take human explorers to the moon, Mars and on into the solar system.

Louisiana has also invested $18 million in the NCAM (National Center for Advanced Manufacturing). Located in the Michoud Space Center, NCAM is the world's most sophisticated carbon fiber placement unit, which is operated by our partners: NASA, Lockheed Martin and the University of New Orleans. Classroom facilities located onsite are training material engineers that will solve today's problems and develop tomorrow's solutions.

Livingston, near Baton Rouge, is home to one of just three LIGOs (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatories) in the nation. LIGOs dedicated to the detection of cosmic gravitational waves and the measurement of these waves for scientific research that yields invaluable information on the nature of the universe.

Aviation

Louisiana is one of the fastest-growing states for the aviation industry due to its existing infrastructure, proactive state and local governments, workforce and climate. Our strength is in the maintenance of rotary and fixed-wing aircrafts. Many aviation-related companies have chosen Louisiana - such as Lockheed Martin, EADS, Northrop Grumman, Petroleum Helicopters, Air Logistics, Vortex Helicopters - and the state's aviation industry has experienced significant growth in recent years with companies like ASA Air Lines and Continental Express Airlines either relocating to Louisiana or undergoing major expansion.

Louisiana has a long history as a player in the aviation industry. The state was the site of the nation's first air mail flight, which occurred April 10, 1912. And with more than a dozen technical schools offering aviation programs in Louisiana, the industry is primed for growth into the future.

For more information on Louisiana's aviation industry, click here to download a copy of LED's brochure, Aviation Partnership of Louisiana: Soaring to New Heights

Manufacturing

Manufacturing has long been one of the mainstays of Louisiana's economy. The durable goods market in Louisiana has been strong because of several factors – an exceptionally productive and well-trained workforce, the availability of resources and a multimodal distribution system reaching across the country.

As part of its role to advance the state's manufacturing industry, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) meets with durable goods manufacturing companies and economic developers around the state to obtain an in-depth understanding of their business environment. In addition, LED has identified action items that the state could collectively support to improve long-term business objectives. We have increased our networking within the industries and worked toward modifying legislation that will either create or retain jobs in the durable goods manufacturing industries.

The special and regular Legislative sessions saw new and enhanced programs that provide greater opportunities for companies looking to expand or relocate to Louisiana.

• The Louisiana Quality Jobs program will provide annual rebates for companies providing new full-time jobs
  
• The Louisiana Opportunity Fund provided over $8.5 million to help develop infrastructure for expanding or relocating companies
  
• The state also extended the sunset date of the Enterprise Zone Tax Credit program, which offers double the standard tax credits for certain automotive and airplane manufacturing activities
  
• Other financial incentives provide additional funds available to loan and venture capital programs and to fund workforce training programs.

Shipbuilding

Louisiana's manufacturing strengths and strategic import/export location make it a logical site for shipbuilding activities and provide great infrastructure for the industry. The shipbuilding industry flourishes in Louisiana, and it's no surprise that more than a quarter of the nation's transport ships are built here.

We're manning the industry with homegrown talent, too. Louisiana is home to the top shipbuilding school in the nation. In the words of the 2000 Princeton Review: "Only one school in the country can claim the best naval architecture program in the United States. That school is the 'urban, public' University of New Orleans..."

The Avondale-UNO Maritime Technology Center of Excellence functions as a research and teaching tool for UNO's School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. It provides students with real world information systems and 3-D modeling facilities.

Also at UNO, the Gulf Coast Region Maritime Technology Center's mission is to help the U.S. shipbuilding industry become more competitive and to reduce the Navy's acquisition costs. The center conducts research in ship design and manufacturing to improve performance, productivity and quality.

These programs produce a skilled workforce for Louisiana's established shipbuilding industry, which includes companies such as Bollinger, Northrop Grumman, Laborde, Trico, Seacor, J. Ray McDermott, Candy Fleet Corp., L&M Brotrus Rental, and Central Gulf Lines.

In Louisiana, our goal is to provide a quality location that sets a new standard of excellence and to exceed your expectations. Let us show you how Louisiana can help your company be more successful.

Von Hatley Director, Durable Goods 225-342-9100 hatley@la.gov

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