AFCO announces expansion

Alexandria-based AFCO Industries recently announced it is expanding with a new facility in Olmstead, Ill.

The $1.9 million plant will perform aluminum extruding and painting operations and employ 19 people.

"As a 68-year-old, 100 percent employee-owned company, we are looking forward to being good corporate citizens of the state of Illinois," AFCO chairman and chief executive officer Jim Waters said. "In our visits to the region, we found an eager and available workforce and a manufacturing-friendly government that assisted us in our search for a suitable expansion site."

AFCO is a leading provider of fabricated building parts — notably aluminum but also including plastic and fiberglass.

The company employs about 400 people, roughly half of them at its Alexandria facility. It also has plants in Olive Branch, Miss., and Pell City, Ala.

LSUA revives safety class

In an example of the increased effort to better connect area educational assets with business needs, Louisiana State University of Alexandria is offering a specialized safety program for the first time in five years.

Fourteen people started the Certified Occupational Safety Specialist program at LSUA Thursday, a 40-hour course to earn a certification in safety requirements and safety implementation.

Training includes Occupational and Safety Health Act, how to coordinate multiple worksites, citations and penalties, hazard analysis, effective communication skills, most common injuries and hazards, safety rules and accident investigations.

The program was started again partially because of demand from members of the Central Louisiana Manufacturing Managers Council for more safety training options.

"We're always looking for more ways to engage LSUA in workforce development in our community," said Wayne Denley, business expansion and retention manager for Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. "We're doing the same thing with Northwestern State in Natchitoches and (Central Louisiana Technical Community College). These connections are important. We're happy to see LSUA really stepping out and becoming more active in this."