GE Oil & Gas to upgrade Lufkin foundry in Texas

GE Oil & Gas to upgrade Lufkin foundry in Texas

LUFKIN, Texas -- GE Oil & Gas will invest $60 million in expanding and modernizing its foundry operations in Lufkin, Texas. The Lufkin foundry produces industry-leading iron castings used to make Lufkin-branded beam pumping units and power transmission equipment.

GE plans to demolish 30,000 sq ft of its existing 515,000-square-foot facility and construct 72,000 sq ft of new buildings. The company also plans to refurbish the remaining facilities at the site in Angelina County.

In 2013, GE acquired Lufkin Industries for approximately $3.3 billion. The move broadened GE Oil & Gas’ artificial lift capabilities, and the company has invested more than $85 million in the Lufkin business globally since the acquisition.

The Lufkin foundry originally began operating in 1902. The foundry manufactures gray and ductile iron castings, producing an estimated 72,000 tons of products each year. About 87% of the foundry’s products are used to supply GE’s own Lufkin factories while the remainder is sold externally to other customers.

Design work for the project is expected to begin this year, construction is expected to start in 2016 and be completed in three years.