Tasked with starting, recruiting, and retaining businesses, BRF, its Shreveport Next division, and its economic development partners scored a significant victory in recruiting Multipack, a beverage manufacturing and packaging company from California, to establish operations in Shreveport. This move is not just a win for the company but also a substantial opportunity for the region’s economy and workforce.
Multipack’s $10.4 million investment in a new production facility in Caddo Parish marks a turning point for the area. The facility will produce more than 100 million cans annually, ranging from sodas and teas to ready-to-drink cocktails and seltzers. Shreveport’s location, offering access to major markets, reliable infrastructure, and a ready workforce, was a key draw. However, it was BRF’s targeted efforts through Shreveport Next and the work of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), North Louisiana Economic Partnership and the Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board that sealed the deal. By aligning the region’s strengths with Multipack’s needs, BRF and team ensured a smooth transition.
Multipack plans to create 141 direct jobs with an average annual salary exceeding $51,000. LED estimates an additional 228 indirect jobs, totaling nearly 370 new opportunities for the region. Positions will range from production line operators and maintenance technicians to management roles, offering competitive wages and robust benefits packages. The ripple effects extend beyond job creation, promising increased consumer spending and a boost for local businesses.
In fact, Multipack recently hosted a job fair on Oct. 8. Nearly 500 applicants turned out, and some individuals were hired the same day. Shreveport has a workforce ready for manufacturing-related jobs, and the job fair proves this to be true. With this latest round of hiring, Multipack is looking to bring online a new canning line, which will be ready for the facility’s official grand opening in January 2025.
Central to the success of this expansion is Louisiana Fast Start, LED’s workforce development program. Known as one of the nation’s best, Fast Start has customized training to prepare local workers for Multipack’s operations. From machine operation and maintenance to safety protocols and quality control, the program ensures employees are job-ready from day one. For Multipack, this collaboration means access to a skilled and motivated workforce. For the region, it’s a pathway to elevate workforce capabilities and attract further industrial investment.
Manufacturing companies like Multipack often act as economic multipliers, attracting related industries, increasing demand for local goods and services, and showcasing the region’s potential for industrial growth. Multipack’s state-of-the-art facility also signals Shreveport’s readiness to support large-scale manufacturing, positioning the region as a contender for future opportunities.
This success story is a testament to the power of proactive, strategic economic development. BRF’s Shreveport Next division, in partnership with LED and local stakeholders, demonstrated how collaboration can yield tangible results. By identifying Multipack’s needs and leveraging the region’s assets, they created a compelling case for expansion that benefits both the company and the community.
For Shreveport, Multipack is more than just a new business — it’s a signal of progress, a catalyst for growth, and a reminder of what’s possible when vision meets execution. As operations ramp up, the region stands poised to benefit from not only new jobs but also a strengthened foundation for future economic development. It’s a promising step forward for North Louisiana, fueled by innovation, collaboration, and determination.
WILLIAM ANDERSON is a financial analyst for EAP.