Longview I-20 Industrial Park Plans Move Forward

LONGVIEW — Despite a still-recovering economy, Scott Zhorne with Premiere Management said he is charging ahead with a two-building, 30,000-square-foot warehouse/industrial center on Interstate 20 and East Loop 281 in Longview. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Zhorne said the project has one industrial tenant locked in early. Zhorne said the firm was pleased to sign a long-term lease with a strong industrial tenant expanding to the Longview area from Houston. The tenant, Forum Energy Technologies, is a worldwide energy conglomerate that operates in 32 facilities in more than 16 countries and employs 3,000 people across the globe. Sales for Forum topped $1 billion in 2011.

The company has a range of specialties, from testing and certifying frac iron and valves to offering a comprehensive field of remotely operated vehicles for energy construction on the ocean floor. Zhorne said construction is moving along on the site, and he expects Forum to take possession in May. The company expects it will employ up to 10 people at the start. Sales for the company surpassed $1 billion in 2011.