The five-year-old lubricant packager and blender is in the midst of a 75,000-square-foot expansion at its Shreveport, La., manufacturing site. Although the new space is devoted to warehousing, it will allow the company to add a new production line and extend others in its existing space, which amounts to 65,000 square feet. A laboratory is also being built. Omni declined to disclose the cost of the project.
Officials say the company needs more space to accommodate growth, which has been fast and steady since the business opened. Sales have increased by double-digit rates in every year of operations, they say. But the growth has not comewhere they expected.
We export into Central and South America, but thats been less than expected, Vice President of Supply Chain Curtis Young told Lube Report. Domestic sales is what has really taken off. Young said two-cycle motor oils constitute the biggest part of Omnis business.
Lets say we have a couple very good OEM customers, he said. He added that the company also has healthy sales blending passenger car motor oils for private label.
Omni received economic support for its expansion from the Port of Shreveport. The project will increase the companys payroll by 15 to 20 people, bringing average employment to approximately 90.