Located on the Mississippi River next to the quiet town of St. Gabriel, the Olin plant began operations in 1970. In August 2007, the St. Gabriel plant became part of the Olin family. The joining of the two companies made Olin the leading industrial bleach manufacturer in the U.S. Plus, the addition of the St. Gabriel plant provides the company with pipeline access to the largest non-integrated chlorine-consuming complex in North America, and that is a big benefit to the local economy.

90 people, full-time employed, come to work at the Olin St. Gabriel plant every day. Olin spends more than $350,000 a year with local businesses, purchasing goods and services that support some 125 local jobs. Olin also pays over a half million dollars in annual taxes—taxes that go to schools, to community services and development and to those in need. In the end, however, it’s people that make the difference.

As a corporate neighbor, it’s important that we add value to life in St. Gabriel. Adding value means giving of ourselves to charitable and worthwhile efforts in the community, whether it’s creating them or contributing to them. One of our most important efforts includes our support of local education and the community’s schools. Besides our efforts with community schools, some employees work with the volunteer fire department and rescue organizations in the local area responding to emergencies. Olin contributes to other charitable organizations like the United Way and the American Red Cross, particularly after Hurricane Katrina. We continue to encourage our people to volunteer their time and their efforts to this and other worthwhile and caring organizations.

Founded by the Acadians in the 1700s, St. Gabriel is a place where one can enjoy comfortable, country-style living. The city is just 12 miles southeast of the thriving capital city of Baton Rouge and only 70 short miles from the home of the nation’s Mardi Gras, New Orleans. Hence, the city’s motto, “No matter where you’re going, you can get there from St. Gabriel.” Located on the east side of the Mississippi River, St. Gabriel’s population is around 5,600 people.

Just 12 miles up the road is the city of Baton Rouge, home to exceptional Creole and Cajun cuisine. Baton Rouge’s rich, cultural traditions are reflected in its music, zydeco, blues and Cajun, and its unique attractions like the stately plantation homes, the ancient Indian mounds, the legendary riverfront and the fascinating Arts & Science Center, where you can fly a simulated space mission.

One of our main goals at the Olin St. Gabriel plant is a safe working and living environment for our people and their families and our neighbors. Olin takes precautions to ensure that no employee or community resident is ever put at risk.

We are engaged in constructing a new facility, which will make St. Gabriel a state-of-the-art membrane cell facility, featuring some of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies in North America.

From 2005 to 2006, the St. Gabriel plant invested almost $1 million in improvements, including the addition of emission reduction equipment and technology upgrades, as well as scheduled machine and equipment maintenance. All resulted in a substantial positive impact to the local environment.

That kind of performance has led to a number of major environmental and safety awards like the Louisiana Governor’s Environmental Leadership Award for Pollution Prevention in 2000 and 2001 for achievements in the reduction of waste disposal and reduced air emissions. We also were given the Chlorine Institute’s Environmental Excellence Award for operating two consecutive calendar years without a reportable quantity release. From 1997 to 2005, the St. Gabriel plant had a 95 percent reduction in all wastes. We continue to ensure that we are good stewards of the environment. The Olin St. Gabriel facility is also an OSHA VPP Star site—a certification that is awarded for doing an excellent job of putting employee safety and health first.