Expansion Set for Trane Plant in Tyler, Texas

Tyler, Tex.

IUE-CWA Local 782 could see hundreds of new members added to its ranks if expansion plans by the Trane Company hold true.

In mid-March, Trane received word of a $4 million tax abatement that would secure its plan to consolidate its research and product testing efforts into a new facility in Tyler.

The facility would house design engineering and labs to test all of Trane's indoor products. The new facility would cost $4 million to build.

Trane projects that by the end of 2009, the new facility will result in the addition of 257 hourly workers and 95 salaried positions.

"With all the hits manufacturing is taking in the United States over the last several years, we certainly want to promote growth," said Local 782 President Tony Hays. "There are very few places you can come to work and have the kind of jobs that you have here."

Current employment is around 1,500.

The Tyler Economic Development Council predicts the new jobs would bring another $20 million in payroll and benefits into the community.

The Tyler Trane plant manufactures residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. Trane is the second largest U.S. air conditioning company.