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Lubrication Technologies presents $4.3M investment; board places ITEP tax-exemption on consent
Summary
Lubrication Technologies told the Caddo Parish School Board it invested about $4.3 million in equipment to expand production capacity at its Shreveport plant; staff said the ITEP exemption would be roughly $38,000 in the first year.
Lubrication Technologies Incorporated representatives on Tuesday described a multi-year plant expansion in Shreveport and answered trustees’ questions about jobs and workforce training before the board placed the company’s ITEP (Industrial Tax Exemption Program) request on the consent agenda.
David Hewitt, plant manager, said the company invested about $4.3 million in equipment to increase production capacity at its existing West Bert Kouns Industrial Loop facility and that a new production line, operational since 2022, reduced mandatory overtime and improved throughput. Hewitt said the company now can hire entry-level workers and develop a homegrown training pipeline with Bossier Parish Community College and other local partners; he described a planned training prototype line for hands-on onboarding.
Board staff explained the ITEP request under the program’s existing rules would reduce the district’s property-tax revenue by about $38,000 in the first year, with the exempted amount declining marginally in later years because of depreciation. Board members asked about location, workforce skills and pay; Hewitt said the facility is at 7699 West Bert Kouns Industrial Loop and that the current starting wage is $16.50 an hour, subject to an upcoming competitive wage review.
After discussion among trustees and staff brief Q&A with the company, several trustees recommended placing the ITEP item on the consent agenda. The board later approved the proposed meeting agenda and consent agenda; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally for the final consent vote, but staff and trustees proceeded to the public comment and polling portions of the meeting after the consent motion.
Trustees discussed workforce partnerships and training opportunities during the Q&A; several asked staff to coordinate a plant tour and follow-up on establishing a pipeline with the Caddo Career Center or local technical colleges.
