Oilfield manufacturer begins new facility in Duson

(Written by Paul Kedinger, managing editor of The Rayne-Acadian Tribune)

DUSON - Town of Duson officials, along with area legislators and dignitaries, joined representatives of Swire Oilfield Services, a global supplier of cargo carrying solutions, modular systems, offshore aviation services and fluid management, to break ground on its newest endeavor of a specialized manufacturing facility for the Lafayette area. 

The ground breaking ceremony was held at the new facility at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, located at 1026 Toby Mouton Road, in Duson. In addition to Duson town officials, led by Mayor Johnny Thibodeaux,  Rep. Jack  Montoucet, State Senator Jonathan Perry, Acadia Parish Juror A.J. Credeur, Acadia Assessor Jim Petitjean and Joey Durel, president of the Lafayette City-Parish Government, participated in the ceremony. 

Scheduled to open in April 2014, the 27-acre development will serve as the regional focal point for Swire Oilfield Services’ core product lines of modular workspace systems, pressure iron and cargo carrying units for the Gulf of Mexico market and will use local talent to manufacture and maintain these units. 

Company officials commented the addition of this new facility is a significant move for Swire Oilfield Services and helps to support the ambitious growth plans in line with the company’s national and international business strategy. 

Swire Oilfield Services provides the most comprehensive range of modular workspace systems in the industry. Those offerings include offshore workshops, pressurized offices and other specialized container solutions. 

In announcing the new facility, Steve Hardwick, president of The America’s for Swire Oilfield Services said, “Swire Oilfield Services’ commitment to the Gulf of Mexico market place will be evident in the build out of this facility. This will further enhance our ability to provide operational excellence to our customers by supplying them with the safest and highest quality products and services they require. The Lafayette/Duson area has long been the center of excellence for oil and gas operations in North America and we are happy to be locating our regional facility here.” 

In 2013, Swire Oilfield Services is set to invest more than $170 million globally to strengthen its worldwide growth, including new rental fleet units and support infrastructure. The company has increased its fleet size and has an excess of 150 standard unit designs, 60,000 cargo carrying units and supports the world’s largest fleet of DNV 2.7-1 and EN 12079 rated equipment. Swire’s global support has put forth great effort, both strategically and financially for its North America Operations to build this Louisiana-based manufacturing facility. 

Swire Oilfield Services currently employs more than 940 people globally. The company has increased its workforce by 20% during the first nine months of the year, and expects to further increase this by approximately 10% before the end of 2013. 

Swire Oilfield Services is anticipating that the Lafayette facility will house up to 25 people in its initial stage with eventual development of an additional 100 people or more. 

Swire Oilfield Services, part of the global conglomerate, the Swire group, is the world’s largest supplier of specialized offshore cargo carrying units to the global energy industry and is a leading supplier of modular systems, offshore aviation services and fluid management.