New logistics warehouse means more jobs for area

W.W. Williams Chairman and CEO William S. Williams talks with Bowie County Judge James Carlow at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday for the defense contractor's new facility at Red River Commerce Park.

[vanessa]

Could you send me or post story - I work with W.W. Williams and wanted to include in monthly newsletter -
Thanks

[Hellcat]

New logistics warehouse means more jobs for area
By: Kristi Jordan - Texarkana Gazette - Published: 08/20/2008

The Texarkana region continued its growth trend Tuesday with the ribbon cutting for a 50,000-square-foot logistics warehouse in Red River Commerce Park.

The warehouse is part of the W.W. Williams Co., a subcontractor for BAE Systems, which is contracting with Red River Army Depot.

“We’re pleased to have put up this 55,000-square-foot facility to support our efforts with BAE Systems and Red River Army Depot. We bring a 95-year history, we’re a family company, we’re pleased to be part of this community and to support the community and to hire local people. I think we’re up to 65 employees in the area now to support our military customers and the Red River Army Depot,” said Bill Williams, chairman and CEO of the W.W. Williams Co.

He said the Williams Co. is working with several other defense original equipment manufacturers to bring similar projects to the area.

“It’s all in the formative stage right now, but we hope to land some more contracts so we can hire up and bring some more jobs to the area. We like what we’ve seen,” Williams said.“We’ve been at Red River for a few years here and we’d like to be here for many more. It’s been a success for us and I believe for the base, too. We’ve helped increase production and we’re pleased to be part of it.”

The building of the new warehouse by BayShore Contractors is the first phase of a total 100,000 square feet supporting operations for BAE.

James Carley, BAE Systems project manager, detailed the company’s goals locally.

“What BAE does here in the Texarkana area is we manufacture and reset the Bradley Fighting Vehicles. We’re in our third year and we have some more years coming. It’s just a great opportunity for the partnership for W.W. Williams and BAE and Red River Commerce Park—the Army depot as well. I think this building will be here for a long time to come and be full of Bradley parts, and BAE people working here and Williams people working here,” said Carley.“BAE contracted W.W. Williams to do all of our logistics for us—supply things, shipping, receiving, things of that nature. It’s called a third party logistics company.”

Jeff Sandford, Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce president, said the warehouse and the partnership required to get it to completion is another sign that the region is continuing its economic ascension.

“There has been such a regional approach to economic development of late. We are so fortunate to come across wonderful partners such as W.W. Williams and BAE Systems and now BayShore Contractors who are willing to come in and build this type of facility for the growth and prosperity of some of these companies,” Sandford said.“Certainly kudos go out to the Red River Redevelopment Authority and their vision and consideration in making sure that all the pieces of the puzzle were in place to allow for this kind of growth. There’s job creation, there’s growth to that economic pie, which enables our community to continue to stay strong in what some consider a rocky economic climate.

“Texarkana and the entire region is seeing the benefits of this kind of collaboration,” said Sandford.

BayShore Contractors, LLC, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., announced the start of construction for 150,000 square feet of new warehouse space at Red River Commerce Park. Company representatives said the warehouse projects will generate 50 jobs in the first two building phases.

[Just Watchin]

Not trying to start a political ruckus but Obama is elected this will be canceled or dry up within a year. There will be some hellaus military cuts.

Don't like Obama and don't like McCain, what can a poor country boy do?