BENTELER, a leading global manufacturer in the steel and tube industry, has inaugurated a new threading line at its steel/tube plant in Shreveport, marking a $20 million investment that expands its operations and reinforces its commitment to the U.S. market. The facility’s latest addition will streamline the production process for seamless tubes used in oil and gas exploration, boosting efficiency and reducing lead times for customers.
“This is a significant milestone for BENTELER and a testament to our dedication to supporting our customers and the local economy,” said Thomas Michels, Chief Operating Officer of BENTELER Steel/Tube. “By bringing the threading process in-house, we enhance our value chain and strengthen our market position in North America.”
The new threading line allows BENTELER to supply domestically produced seamless tubes, including casings, tubings, and drill pipes, directly to oil and gas exploration companies. Previously, these products required external processing before being ready for drilling sites. The in-house threading capability will improve production speed and competitiveness, particularly for customers in the Mid-Continent region and the Rocky Mountains.
“By expanding our value chain, we can deliver to customers more quickly and competitively,” said Kai Christian Zimmermann, Executive Vice President North America for BENTELER Steel/Tube. “This investment underscores our ongoing commitment to the Shreveport site and to serving the growing energy sector.”
The $20 million expansion includes a newly constructed hall and the creation of 32 new direct jobs at the Shreveport facility, with the potential to increase to 49 positions at full capacity. This brings the total workforce at the plant to approximately 350 employees.
“This expansion is great news for the Shreveport-Bossier region,” said Dustin Niemoeller, Plant Manager for BENTELER Steel/Tube. “In addition to creating jobs, we’re investing in workforce development through initiatives like the FAME program in partnership with North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLPE) and Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC).”
The FAME program offers a two-year training course combining classroom instruction and hands-on experience, preparing participants for careers as production and maintenance technicians. BENTELER also collaborates with Louisiana State University in Shreveport, providing students with internship opportunities to gain real-world experience.
BENTELER’s Shreveport facility is one of the most advanced of its kind in North America, producing high-quality Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) for the energy sector. The company has made several strategic investments in the region, including expanding tube dimensions to six inches in diameter and developing new steel grades, such as sour gas-resistant materials.
Globally, the BENTELER Group operates six locations in the U.S. and employs approximately 1,700 people. In addition to its investment in Shreveport, the company recently announced a multi-million dollar expansion at its automotive plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
With this latest investment, BENTELER not only strengthens its position in the U.S. energy market but also contributes significantly to the local economy through job creation and partnerships with educational institutions. The company’s commitment to Shreveport underscores the region’s importance as a hub for industrial innovation and growth.