ThyssenKrupp AG executives announced Friday morning they have selected Mobile, Ala., as the next North American site for the German company, bypassing a location in nearby St. James Parish.
The Baton Business Report said some of the deciding factors that influenced ThyssenKrupp's decision included logistical considerations of the company's Brazil supply chain, operating costs such as electricity and labor-and-site specific capital expenditures.
The new facility will import unfinished slabs the company produces in Brazil and manufacture them into suitable steel for auto parts and appliances.
Louisiana was the runner-up in a competition with 67 sites across 20 states. After the announcement, Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Louisiana is still an attractive location for global companies wanting to expand to North America.
"We demonstrated that Louisiana is a great place to do business and that now is the time for business and industry to explore opportunities across our state," Blanco said in a news release. "We went to the major leagues and proved that Louisiana can compete for any project on the horizon."
Blanco cited examples such as the General Motors plant in Shreveport and Union Tank Car in Alexandria as progress that industry is expanding to Louisiana despite ThyssenKrupp's decision.
-- Contact Matt Vines at mvines@lsureveille.com
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