Gardner Denver Moves Sheboygan Work To Louisiana

MONROE, La. (AP) — Gardner Denver Inc., which manufactures pumps and compressors, said Monday that it will move its manufacturing operations from Wisconsin to Monroe, quadrupling the company's employment in northeastern Louisiana.

The Monroe plant, which has 70 jobs currently, will have a payroll of at least 301 jobs by 2011 with jobs averaging $37,000 a year plus benefits, the company and state economic development officials said.

About 40 to 45 of the jobs will be new management positions.

"This is a huge win for Monroe and our entire state," said Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The administration began negotiating with the Quincy, Ill.-based company after it said in December that its Thomas Products division would either be consolidated in Monroe or in Sheboygan, Wis.

The state said Gardner Denver took a performance-based grant of up to $9 million for relocation expenses. Louisiana Delta Community College also received a $193,000 state grant to produce certified manufacturing specialists who will be able to work at Gardner Denver and similar plants.

The city of Monroe will contribute a discounted lease rate for a planned 124,000-square-foot building expansion.

The company also is expected to apply for industrial tax exemptions and the state's quality jobs program that provides a cash rebate to companies that create well-paid jobs.

Monroe has taken several major job hits in recent years, including the closing of a State Farm insurance regional center and the shuttering of the Guide Corp. plant, which manufactured vehicle lighting systems.