The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

It didn't take long for a new shop to go up after a Fall ground-breaking.

STI Group is building a modular pipe fabrication shop on Foreman Road in West Orange that is 90 percent completed, according to Matt Spence, marketing manager for the company. Only the front offices need to be completed.

"It's being utilized now, a month and a half ago," he said. "It's fully operational. We just need to lay the rock down."

The company eventually plans to expand the facility to meet current needs on the land it owns.

The company's website states STI Group is proud to be an industry leader in modular fabrication, pipe fabrication and industrial services.

"Part of what makes us such a full service, total solutions provider is our state-of-the-art fabrication facilities and our ample fabrication capacity. We are continually looking for ways to grow and improve as a company and that is why we are excited to announce that we are opening a brand new fabrication shop in West Orange, Texas," it read.

The new facility has 33,000 sq. ft. of fabrication space and has been laid out to optimize efficiency and productivity for modular fabrication and pipe fabrication. The shop will also have a 50 ft X 50 ft pad for major assemblies. Finally, the facility will include 6,500 sq ft of office space for administrative and executive functions.

"We selected the location based on its strategic proximity with our other facilities and to be right in the heart of where our clients need us the most. Another major asset is the 30 acres of surrounding open space for expansion when needed. This location allows us to serve the industrial needs of the thriving Gulf Coast region," the website read.

Spence said they wanted to keep the facility in Southeast Texas and to have a larger presence in Orange because of the refineries on Chemical Row and access to the railroad.

"It will be for refining chemical piping," Spence said. "There's a lot of demand for modular fabrication in Southwest Louisiana and Houston. Exxon and Motiva are expanding.

The website read another top priority for STI Group is giving back to the communities that have given them so much. Their new West Orange shop will create about 100 new jobs for area residents.

"We are looking forward to expanding the STI Group family and encourage interested prospective employees to apply," it read.

Photo - The new modular fabrication shop on Foreman Road in West Orange is 90 percent completed. The facility has 33,000 square feet of fabrication space, a 50 ft X 50 ft pad for major assemblies and 6,500 square feet of office space.

RECORD PHOTO: David Ball