The future looks bright in regard to job opportunities in Walker County.

Development Authority Director Larry Brooks states that the Roper Plant is adding a third-shift production schedule and within the next year will reportedly be adding another heavy -duty press to increase production in their range and oven lines.

He added that Roper is now up to 1,800 employees and still growing.

Meanwhile, Labrie Enviroquip, now operating in the former Bluebird plant, is looking into producing a new line of trucks.

Last year, the Canadian-based Company bought out Phillips and continued making parts for garbage trucks.  Brooks added Labrie is closing its distribution headquarters in Wisconsin and moving that operation to Lafayette. 

They are also in the process of converting truck chassis to completed garbage trucks, with plans to start full-scale production in the Lafayette plant over the coming year.

Small scale plastic production has begun at Audia International’s new plant in the business park and the company is reportedly planning more hiring events in the near future as they move toward full-scale production.

(WQCH)