WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE- A long-delayed manufacturing operation in Hammond is scheduled to begin operating late this year.

According to the Advocate, Intralox chief executive Lawrence Oertling told a state board Tuesday that the plastic conveyor belt manufacturer plans to open during the fourth quarter.

The Louisiana Commerce and Industry Board agreed to the company's request to continue a property tax abatement on equipment and other capital improvements, an economic incentive granted three years ago.

Intralox delayed opening its $22 million plant at the end of 2008 because of the economic meltdown.

Oertling said the plant will employ 200 workers.

Intralox is based in Harahan and is a subsidiary of Laitram Corp., which has 1,600 employees, 1,000 of them in Louisiana.