LEDCO Board Approves Performance Agreement with Merit Fabricators LLC.

LONGVIEW, TX – September 29, 2022 – Today, the Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) Board of Directors voted to approve a performance agreement with Merit Fabricators LLC., an affiliate company of Allied Steel Buildings, Inc. The Florida-based company that currently has a manufacturing facility in Spain, will locate a new advanced manufacturing operation in the Longview Business Park and construct a 130,000-square-foot facility. Merit Fabricators is expected to make a capital investment of $22 million and create 25 new full-time jobs with an annual payroll of $1.2 million.

Merit Fabricators is a company working primarily with structural steel to produce customized, prefabricated commercial and industrial buildings for customers. The Longview facility anticipates partial production to begin in Q2 2023.

"On behalf of the LEDCO Board, we are thrilled for Merit Fabricators to join our community. Their leading-edge steel manufacturing will create quality jobs for Longview and East Texas’ skilled workforce. We look forward to working with our partners to bring this project to fruition.” Natalie Lynch, LEDCO Board Chairman

“Longview, Texas is the perfect place to make this investment. We can't wait to engage with the local experienced skilled labor force, as well as the local educational institutions which feature the various degrees that will translate to success at Merit.” Michael Lassner, President of Merit Fabricators and Allied Steel Buildings

About LEDCO

The Longview Economic Development Corporation was created by the voters of Longview in 1991 under the Development Act of 1979 (Texas Revised Civil Statutes Article 5190.6) section 4A for the purpose of creating and retaining primary jobs. The Corporation’s independent board of directors, five voting members, five non-voting members, is appointed by the mayor and city council. The Corporation owns two business parks in Longview with 1,200 acres of land.

About Merit Fabricators LLC.

Merit Fabricators LLC, will operate a steel fabrication facility in Texas to provide a reliable supply of unparalleled fabricated steel for Allied Steel Buildings. Since 2003, Allied has delivered some of the most challenging and significant building projects in 74 countries. Throughout the years Allied has made continuous investments to create an exceptional client experience and empowering environment, arming our team members to deliver creative building solutions for our clients.

During the pandemic, the compounding effects of Covid-19 and the breakdown of the global supply chain challenged our ability to meet client needs. Rather than accept the delays or stoppages, staying true to Allied’s culture, Allied executives took control and opened the first fabrication facility in Galicia, Spain dedicated exclusively to meeting Allied’s needs.

By investing in our clients and team members, we quickly overcame the circumstances to deliver on our promises, on schedule, when nobody else could. This performance brought new and repeat customers, driving Allied to require a second fabrication facility, leading us to announce the planned opening of our new facility in Longview, TX. The team members in Spain and Texas will work seamlessly to deliver solutions for our global clients.