Denka opens corporate home; Parish, company leaders tout communication for bright future
Published 12:14 am Wednesday, December 21, 2016
- Denka Performance Elastomer leaders and parish officials cut the ribbon at the LaPlace headquarters Friday.
LAPLACE — The mood was festive with plenty of promises for a lasting relationship built on mutual support and communication as company and parish leaders celebrated the corporate office grand opening of Denka Performance Elastomer in LaPlace.
President and CEO Koki Tabuchi welcomed approximately 50 people to the LaPlace facility Friday morning, asking for continued support and inviting community members for additional visits and plant tours.
President and CEO Koki Tabuchi welcomes guests to the LaPlace facility’s corporate headquarters grand opening.
St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom said local leaders are pleased with Denka’s commitment to the community, demonstrated through the acquisition and upgrades to the facility.
“We are here for you,” Robottom said. “We understand that many of our residents and neighbors live very close and probably have more contact with you than some of us. Safety is very important to us, and you have demonstrated to us that it is very important to you, as a company.”
Robottom said challenges lie ahead for Denka and St. John, but can be overcome through open communication.
Denka Performance Elastomer is in the process of instituting a multi-million dollar series of technical measures to reduce emissions of chloroprene from its LaPlace facility.
The voluntary measures, company officials say, are designed to reduce emissions of chloroprene by 85 percent.
Denka Performance Elastomer acquired the LaPlace facility from DuPont Nov. 1, 2015. The company is owned by two Japanese companies and was expressly formed to purchase the Neoprene business from DuPont, which had operated the Neoprene units since 1973.
Material produced at the LaPlace site is used in consumer products including wet suits, orthopedic braces, adhesives, electrical insulation and coatings.
Plant Manager Jorge Lavastida said it makes sense to locate the headquarters in LaPlace.
“Our plans are to grow the Neoprene business, really make it very profitable and be part of this community — a very positive and contributing part of this community, and hopefully we’re doing that right now,” he said.
Denka Performance Elastomer employs 250 people and provides support for more than 20 contractors, which can double in number during certain times of the year, according to company leaders.
In an effort to employ as many local residents as possible, Lavastida said Denka Performance Elastomer has partnered with South Central Louisiana Technical College in Reserve and is recruiting from local students.
— Candace Hemelt contributed to this report.
