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Addition of 12th production line will result in 170 retained jobs and 24 new jobs in Ouachita Parish

The expansion is a response to the growing demand for polyethylene film, the thin plastic sheeting used to seal and protect a wide range of consumer and industrial products. (MSE photo)

MONROE, La. – Mid South Extrusion, which produces polyethylene film for food packaging and other consumer and industrial uses, is investing $4.9 million to add a 12th production line at its manufacturing facility in Monroe. The company will retain 170 jobs and create eight direct new jobs, and LED estimates the project will result in 16 indirect jobs, for a total of 24 new jobs in Ouachita Parish.

The additional line will allow the company to meet the growing demand for polyethylene film, the thin, lightweight plastic sheeting that is used to seal and protect a wide variety of packaged industrial and consumer products. The new, state-of-the-art production line is a direct response to the growing demand for food packaging, and comes on the heels of the Global Food Safety Initiative’s certification of the company’s Food Safety Management systems.

“I applaud Mid South’s investment in the growth of its team and its facility, which will increase economic activity in the Northeast Region of the state,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “Mid South’s role in the food packaging supply chain illustrates the importance of Louisiana’s contribution in this sector. Food production remains critical in the United States and beyond, and it is reliant on packaging. This investment contributes to these important national and global interests.”

Installation is expected to be complete and the new production line commercially operational by the end of 2022.

“Along with increasing our production capacity, this investment allows us to continue to target new markets and capitalize on our momentum in the food packaging sector,” said Mark Kent Anderson, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mid South. “We love our state and community, and knowing that we have the support of our local and state officials makes reinvestment and growth in Louisiana an easy decision. Plastics is an industry that is in high demand due to the industry’s commitment to growth, innovation and sustainability. Mid South Extrusion is looking forward to our continued growth in Monroe for many years to come.”

Since it was established in 1986, Mid South Extrusion has steadily expanded its operation from a 17,000 square-foot facility with four employees to a 215,000 square-foot site with nearly 200 employees. The company serves a wide array of sectors, including agriculture, consumer products, e-commerce, food and beverage, and industrial applications.

“Mid-South Extrusion is an integral part of the economic development in the City of Monroe,” Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis said. “They provide hundreds of jobs for our people, and this expansion is a reflection of their investment in employees, and an investment in our community. Their growth demonstrates the opportunity for businesses to thrive in Monroe.”

To secure Mid South’s investment in Monroe, the State of Louisiana provided the company with a competitive incentive package that includes $170,000 from the state’s Retention and Modernization Program. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Enterprise Zone and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

“We are proud to have Mid South Extrusion as part of our existing industry base, as well as our community,” North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon said. “This decision to increase their footprint in North Louisiana emphasizes the area’s dedicated workforce and strategic location.”

About Mid South Extrusion MSE is a family-owned industry-leading producer of innovative flexible films. Our high-performance blown polyethylene films are used in flexible packaging solutions, industrial manufacturing, consumer goods, and other end-use applications. "Innovative Flexible Flims" reflects our dedication to innovative film solutions and our commitment to sustainability. Mid South Extrusion's Quality and Food Safety Management systems are certified to ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 (GFSI compliant) standards. With 170 employees on site, MSE’s expansive campus is the perfect fit for the company’s manufacturing, warehousing and office space. For more information, visit msefilms.com.

About LED Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state’s business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy. It is the only state agency in the U.S. accredited by the International Economic Development Council, boasting a wide range of award-winning programs and projects routinely ranked among the nation’s best. In 2021, LED attracted 64 new economic development projects representing over 18,100 new direct and indirect jobs, 9,700 retained jobs and more than $20.5 billion in new capital investment. Explore how LED cultivates jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana, and promotes business opportunity for employers of all sizes at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

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