Our Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) team recently visited with LyondellBasell to discuss current operations, workforce trends, and future modernization efforts at the company’s Evansville-area facilities.
LyondellBasell operates two Evansville sites under its Advanced Polymer Solutions (APS) division, supporting the automotive, industrial, electrical, and consumer goods industries through advanced polymer compounding operations. The company currently employs approximately 200 people across its Northbrook and O’Hara facilities.
During the visit, company leadership shared updates regarding workforce needs, market conditions, operational efficiency efforts, and ongoing modernization initiatives focused on strengthening advanced manufacturing capabilities and long-term competitiveness.
Attendees included:
- Jeff Howell, Site Manager – Northbrook, LyondellBasell
- John DeHaven, Site Manager – O’Hara, LyondellBasell
- Natalie Rascher, HR Business Partner, LyondellBasell
- Adam Grothouse, Operations Manager, LyondellBasell
- Tina Biasella, External Affairs, LyondellBasell
- Richard Kadansky, State Government Relations, LyondellBasell
- Kaylie Pruiett, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP)
- Valerie Schmidt, Southwest Indiana Workforce Board
- Randy VanWynsberghe, CenterPoint Energy
E-REP appreciates the opportunity to continue supporting regional manufacturers through the BR&E program and values continued collaboration with companies like LyondellBasell that are investing in the future of manufacturing in the Evansville region.
About Business Retention & Expansion: E-REP’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program is a proactive economic development strategy focused on strengthening the local economy by supporting, retaining, and fostering the growth of existing businesses. These programs identify and resolve local business challenges—such as workforce, infrastructure, or regulatory issues—through direct engagement, surveys, and partnerships to prevent closures and encourage expansion