Petrochemical, Maritime & Transportation Industry Leaders Forecast Continued Economic Growth

HOUSTON - Sept. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- Leaders from the petrochemical, maritime, logistics and transportation industries delivered robust economic forecasts for the Houston Ship Channel region during the 5^th annual Economic Alliance Houston Port Region (http://www.allianceportregion.com/) Petrochemical & Maritime Outlook Conference held at the Pasadena Convention Center Thursday, September 4. More than 650 people, including Mobil Steel International, Inc. (http://www.mobilsteel.com/) President and CEO Leonard A. Bedell, listened to encouraging news about expansion plans amid a resurgent energy renaissance in the U.S. and Texas.

According to Chad Burke, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance, these are exciting times to work in the Houston Ship Channel region. “We are working to help our members expand their facilities, bringing in new companies and new projects to this region,” Burke said. “The energy industry’s resurgence due to abundant, affordable natural gas is not only good for our region but also U.S. businesses.”

“It is wonderful to hear the Port of Houston chairman announce that these are exciting times for the port and it is encouraging to listen as a panel of petrochemical plant managers – some representing our customers – tell us that the energy renaissance and industry expansion could last more than 10 years,” said Bedell.

“This positive message is very different from the first couple of years when we heard that local industry could not compete against global competition for new plant expansion,” Bedell added.

Mobil Steel has seen its business improve during the recovery. Through the first half of the 2014, the steel fabrication company significantly exceeded its fabrication expectations and surpassed 2013 steel fabrication production, according to Bedell. “We have a backlog of business that gives us confidence that this will be one of our most productive years since the downturn in the U.S. economy. It is positive to hear the people that we serve – our industrial and commercial customers say that this industry expansion will continue for years to come,” Bedell said.

Mobil Steel is a founding sponsor of the Economic Alliance outlook conference which celebrated its 5^th year. Bedell and business development manager Stuart Robles hosted a table of customers and dignitaries. Joining Bedell at the Mobil Steel table were Republican nominee for State Representative Wayne Faircloth; Tim Ricketts, Channel Biorefinery & Terminals; Ed Hester, Austin Industrial; and Wayne Webb, Community Bank of Texas.

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About Mobil Steel International, Inc.

Mobil Steel International, Inc. fabricates steel used in some of the world's essential industries: chemical, manufacturing, petroleum, communication, clean fuels, and power utilities, as well as commercial construction. Mobil Steel, which has been at its South Wayside Drive facility in Houston for 44 years, has a production capacity of more than 1,000 tons per month in its 80,000 square feet of plant and office facilities under roof, providing flexibility to manage multiple projects. The 8.5-acre site is located within major freeway access to the refining and petrochemical complex in the Gulf Coast region.  Mobil Steel is quality certified by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). Mobil Steel is active in Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors, Association of Chemical Industry of Texas, and American Welding Society. The company is a sponsoring member of Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and a member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Mobil Steel is a registered small business with the Small Business Administration. For information about Mobil Steel visit www.mobilsteel.com.