LaBarge to expand Joplin operations

Most of the new jobs will be in production and manufacturing of sophisticated cable assemblies, primarily for the defense and aerospace industries, said company officials during a news conference at the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. Company president and CEO Craig LaBarge was in town for the announcement.

Officials said the expansion, located adjacent to LaBarge’s main Joplin facility, will allow the company to meet its current needs and allow for continued job growth in 2007.

LaBarge leased 56,000 square feet in the former King Press building to accommodate the company’s growth. Robertson Equipment Co., of Webb City, recently purchased the building.

LaBarge’s portion of the facility will house production on several defense programs including the Black Hawk helicopter, Tomahawk cruise missile and joint standoff weapon.

“This is a perfect example of local, state and federal governments working together to create opportunities for Missourians,” said Mike Mills, deputy director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Mills said the state is committing more than $1 million in worker training funds to the project.

Currently, LaBarge employs about 350 people at two manufacturing facilities in Joplin. Within the last year, the company won several new contracts for cables and wiring harnesses that will be manufactured in Joplin. These include orders from Raytheon, Sikorsky Aircraft, Boeing and Eclipse Aviation.

LaBarge (AMEX: LB) reported $182 million in revenues in 2005 including $41 million from the Joplin plant. The St. Louis-based company has operations in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Jeff Wells is editor of Joplin Tri-State Business and can be reached at jwells@joplintsb.com. See JTB’s May 8 issue for more on LaBarge's expansion plans.