Texas firm expanding B.R. presence with Gonzales location

A Corpus Christi, Texas-based company specializing in industrial turnarounds and construction is planning to expand its local presence. Repcon Inc.—which counts Exxon, Placide and Dow Chemical among its list of refinery, chemical and petrochemical clientele—has signed a lease for 17,000 square feet of warehouse and office space on La. 30 in Gonzales near the Tanger Outlets mall. The company will relocate staff from the small, Prairieville office it currently operates to the new facility, where it will do pipe fabrication and support for its projects. The expansion will mean an increase in the amount of construction-related jobs in the area, though Repcon executives cannot say for sure how many permanent or temporary jobs they will create, as it will depend on the size and scope of projects they have going on at any particular time. “We’ll be adding more permanent folks to our operation, and the intent is to grow our overall business in that area,” says Bob Parker, president of the 30-year-old company. “Most of our work is turnaround work, where we move in, do the work and move out. Until now, we haven’t had a permanent presence in the area of maintenance and capital work.” The facility into which Repcon is moving was previously occupied by RSC, a rental equipment company that merged earlier this year with United Rentals. —Stephanie Riegel