Webster Combustion will add a minimum of 41 new jobs in Winfield, local officials announced Monday morning.
“This development includes $6 million in investments at the property and over $10 million in payroll additions over the next ten years to support the company’s expansion in its current manufacturing facility in Winfield,” Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall told Cowley Post.
Wall said new job additions could grow to 70.
The Winfield City Commission recently approved the issuance of $3.9 million in industrial revenue bonds for the company, including a graduated property tax abatement over 10 years, Wall confirmed.
According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, IRBs are issued by cities, counties and the Kansas Development Finance Authority. Proceeds from the sale of the bonds to private investors are made available to enable creditworthy companies to purchase land and pay the costs of constructing and equipping new facilities or the costs of acquiring, remodeling and expanding existing facilities.
“We were competing with other locations and are glad Webster Combustion has chosen to grow their company right here in Winfield,” Mayor Greg Thompson said. “The company’s reinvestment underscores the advantages of our workforce and efforts of local officials to work together with the company to encourage growth.”
Located in the Winfield Industrial Park since the early 1970s, Webster Combustion Technology LLC manufactures a wide range of industrial burners that are in everyday use all over the world, Wall said, adding that Webster has continued to grow its product offering through expansion into the asphalt market.
“Webster appreciates the close partnership with the City of Winfield in developing a support package that facilitates our expansion with our investment in manufacturing process technology, leading edge burner development, use of greener alternative fuels and securing talented team members to continue our business and team growth”, said David S. Bovenizer, Chief Executive Officer of Lionheart Industrial Group LLC, Webster’s ultimate parent company.
“Webster has been an outstanding member of our business community for many years,” Wall said. “We appreciate their commitment to creating more jobs and upskilling our workforce as the company expands in the region.”
Local officials have worked with Webster on the growth plan and consideration of whether to bring the new growth to Winfield or locate that work elsewhere. In addition to the City of Winfield, Cowley First-Cowley County Economic Development, is actively working with Webster and state economic development officials to incentivize workforce training and apprenticeship programs at the plant.
