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The return of Southeast Texas' economic drivers and continuing industrial expansion also means that networking is more essential than ever as the area's industry and business landscape continues to evolve.
That's why the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce brought back its annual industry show for the fourth year on Wednesday at the Bob Bowers Civic Center, which wasn't hard to miss with giant cranes outside waving the American flag.
Inside, more than 100 companies across almost every possible industry sector were represented in the Civic Center - making connections and showing off services available in the Golden Triangle.
Pat Avery, president and CEO of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, said it was essential to give the area's businesses a chance to come back together to partner for the projects ahead after pausing during 2020, and they responded enthusiastically.
"The number of businesses signing up was overwhelming, and we're expecting it to be even bigger next year," Avery said.
The region saw a banner year in 2019 as leaders announced billions in projects and growing interest from new sectors looking to cash-in on the logistical and geographic advantages Southeast Texas had to offer.
Then, the pandemic stopped work during the earlier months of 2020 and continues to halt some projects that didn't have committed investors. But other work has continued over the past 18 months, and companies are now even more desperate for skilled workers and reliable contractors.
That's why the industry show was a key opportunity for the Pipe Fitters Local 211, who are making connections to fill the growing demand for skilled labor while also recruiting the next generation of craftsmen into its apprenticeship program.
Jeff Broussard, an organizer with Local 211, said that the growing gap between needed and available skilled labor continued to grow through the pandemic, especially on the HVAC side, as older workers headed for early retirement,. But the union has stayed committed training.
"We need people, and we really need them right now," Broussard said. "I could use 20 to 30 HVAC technicians by tomorrow, but that's why we're expanding our training facilities to meet the needs."
New workforce dynamics means the union also has seen more requests from union and non-union shops - opening up its range of partnerships.
One local company, also with recently-opened expanded services, was happy to meet new clients at the show.
Coastal Welding Supply, founded in Beaumont 50 years ago by Al Nelson, recently celebrated the opening of its 250,000 square-foot specialty gas facility.
The company already has been supplying local businesses with welding supplies, gases for medical purposes and even industrial quantities of dried ice. But it also distributes unique and specific gases that industrial clients need to calibrate sensitive equipment used to make sure their products are at the right consistency.
Craig Heimler, the specialty gas sales representative for Coastal, said that the expansion was a direct result of growing demand in the area and the need for companies to find a reliable distributor close to home.
The company kept working through the pandemic without layoffs after being designated as an essential business. And it even saw spikes in demand from medical clients, but it is still seeing its share of issues as labor shortages continue.
Specifically, Coastal has had to be on the lookout for more hazmat-certified drivers as the national shortage of professional truck drivers grows.
The industry show also was an important event for Indorama Ventures, one of the event's sponsors, which hasn't had many opportunities for public outreach during the pandemic since it completed its acquisition of the former Hunstman assets in Port Neches last year.
Indorama's acquisition of some of the largest basic chemical production facilities in the U.S. centered around Texas' Gulf Coast is an example of how Southeast Texas has become increasingly a part of an international chain of changing dynamics.
Kim Hoyt, a veteran with the Port Neches complex and new site manager with Indorama, said events like the industry show are going to be key for Southeast Texas as new players and industries continue to grow in the region, requiring more cooperation and community.
"Our world here has been changing and new ideas are more important than ever, especially after what happened during the last 18 months," Hoyt said. "Our business has changed in ways since the pandemic began that I don't think will revert anytime soon, or maybe ever."
jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com
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The pandemic is making SE Texas industry work smarter, not harder - Beaumont Enterprise
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