Big Techs Industry Tours & Job Fair, Little Big Techs Showcase

Ever wonder how stuff is made? Come see how Komatsu builds the world's largest front end loader, how Eastman, INVISTA, and Westlake turn chemicals into products, how Merritt Preferred Components manufactures Aerospace and Energy products, how Holt Cat rebuilds industrial-size engines, and other cool technology. Join us for Big Techs: the behind-the-scene tours of what makes East Texas work.

Longview’s history and present are full of makers, builders, doers, and inventors. Ever since Longview was founded as a railroad town in 1870, industrious people have been making cool stuff in our corner of East Texas. That industrious culture grew with the East Texas Oil Boom of the 1930’s and the manufacturing necessity of World War II. Today, East Texas companies continue that tradition, using modern technology to create, build, and distribute goods. Big Techs is a collaborative effort of the Longview Economic Development Corporation, Kilgore Economic Development Corporation, and the Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau as a part of Industry Appreciation Month.

Industry tours are free, but registration is required. Each tour is approximately one hour, with most tour times at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. There are 9 industry tours but only 4 tour times, so choose the tours that work best for you. Please note age restrictions and clothing restrictions on some tours.

, 203 Gum Springs Rd.

• Texas is hot, but AAON products help keep us cool. AAON is engaged in the engineering, manufacturing, and marketing of air conditioning and heating equipment. Learn how AAON builds everything from commercial-sized air conditioners to geothermal/water-source heat pumps and coils. The Longview offices and manufacturing facilities employees more than 600 people at their 263,000 square feet facility. Must wear close-toed shoes and long pants. Facility is not heated; wear weather appropriate clothing.

Eastman Chemical, 300 Kodak Blvd.

• Learn how Eastman Chemical and Westlake Chemical turn chemicals into plastic products, which in turn make life better for people every day. From the film on your car’s windshield to the screen on your tablet, from baby bottles to passenger jets, from tires to attire, the world depends on products made here. Long pants and closed-toe shoes required.

• Check-in Location: B-86 Learning Services Building

Westlake Chemical, 811 Estes Drive Eastman Building 86

• Westlake Performance & Essential Materials businesses also includes our polyethylene and vinyl chemicals production, which are vital to the manufacturing of polymers to protect food, medical and personal products, and an extensive range of sectors and spaces, such as automotive interiors and exteriors, building materials, PVC pipes for agriculture, water systems and buildings, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and many more vital applications. Click the button below to learn more about Westlake's Performance & Essential Materials business.
• Littles must be accompanied by a parent on the bus.

Holt CAT Machine Division, 5110 W. Loop 281

• During this tour, participants will have a chance to see various types of industrial Caterpillar equipment in various stages of repair. This will include whole machines, torn down machines, components on the machine, and undercarriage. There will also be opportunities to touch the equipment, sit inside of the cabs of the equipment, as well as demos of dirt moving on our back yard.

Holt CAT Power Systems, 2210 Legacy Pkwy.

• See how Holt Cat Power Systems completely refurbishes huge industrial engines from large Caterpillar earth-moving equipment into like-new condition. Children are welcome with adult. Must wear closed toe shoes. Safety glasses will be provided.

INVISTA, a KOCH Company, 118 Huntsman Way. Minimum age: 8.

• INVISTA’s polymers and chemical intermediates are the foundation for many of the plastics you use every day, and INVISTA fibers are woven into many of the fabrics and materials you rely on. INVISTA plastics are used to make everything from the color caps of Sharpie and Crayola markers to laundry detergent measuring cups.
• Must wear closed toed shoes.

Komatsu Mining, 2400 S. MacArthur St. Minimum age: 10

• Komatsu makes the world’s largest wheel loader, the L-2350, an earth-mover of massive proportion. The huge machine weighs 294 tons (more than the Statue of Liberty!) and features tires that are 13 feet tall. Yet, this goliath is fuel efficient utilizing a hybrid diesel / electric drive. Komatsu’s Longview location was originally founded by Robert G. LeTourneau over 70 years ago. Mr. LeTourneau designed and built machines beyond the imagination of ordinary men. He introduced into the earthmoving and material handling industry the rubber tire, which today is almost universally accepted. LeTourneau built 70% of the heavy earthmoving equipment used by the allies in World War II. During the height of the war, from 1942 to 1945, his fertile mind pumped out 78 inventions, many of which were instrumental in helping to win the war. Komatsu acquired the facility in 2016.

• Long pants and closed toe shoes required.

Orgill, 7001 Elder Lake Rd, Kilgore, TX Minimum age: 18

• Orgill was founded in Memphis Tennessee in 1847 by William Orgill. Orgill is going into its 178th year in business and is now housed in Collierville Tennessee just outside of Memphis city limits. Orgill is the world's largest independently owned hardline distributor and the oldest independent company in Memphis. Orgill has surpassed $3 billion in annual sales and is the top 150 privately owned companies according to Forbes Magazine. The Kilgore distribution center began construction in 2007 and began shipping products in 2008. The Kilgore DC services over 3,000 customers in 7 states and employs over 400 employees. Of the roughly 420 employees, 69 are drivers, some of whom work remotely out of domicile locations in Seguin TX, Jackson MS, and Alexandria LA. Each morning our shuttle routes are filled and shuttled to these domicile locations; the on-site drivers can then start delivery first thing the next morning avoiding the 4-6 hours of highway time from the DC. This assures our customers receive their orders as quickly as possible. Over ¾ of our customers order on day 1, have their orders filled on day 2, and deliver on day 3. Overall Orgill uses 8 Distribution Centers (7 in the US and 1 in Canada) to service over 6,000 customers. These customers operate over 10,000 hardware stores. Orgill is very customer service oriented and we work hard to live up to our mission statement: HELP OUR CUSTOMERS BE SUCCESSFUL.

• Must have closed toe shoes. No inappropriate or offensive clothing.

STEMCO, 300 Industrial Drive. Minimum Age: 12

• STEMCO has been supplying a diverse line of high performance systems and components to the commercial vehicle industry since 1951. Their mission is to engineer advanced commercial vehicle solutions and create exceptional customer experiences in our passion of Making the Roadways Safer. STEMCO is consistently recognized as a world-class manufacturer of innovative and exciting commercial vehicle solutions. The values of safety, excellence and respect drive everything that STEMCO and parent company Enpro Industries (NYSE:NPO) do. Trust, training and focused innovation are just a few of our value drivers at STEMCO. Increasing fleet safety and performance expectations are our specialties.STEMCO was originally established in St. Charles, Missouri by Ben Cook and Tom Davidson in 1951. The company began with the production of pinion seals, standard and Grit Guard® oil seals, hub caps, and exhaust products. In 1956, STEMCO headquarters relocated to Longview, Texas where wheel adapters, drum check gauges, oil seals and exhaust accessories were manufactured. Since then, STEMCO has continued to grow and evolve, becoming a diverse, world-class manufacturer of commercial vehicle components.

• No heels or hoodies. Close toe shoes are required. Steel toe shoes are required, but can be provided during tour. Safety glasses and ear plugs provided.

Genpak LLC, 1101 W. Harrison Rd. Minimum Age: 18

• Since 1969, Genpak has been a leading food packaging manufacturer and innovator. Over the years, Genpak’s offerings have evolved as the restaurant industry. We’ve placed innovation and strong customer service at the forefront of our operations to develop reliable, secure, and versatile food service containers. From foam containers, plates, plastic bowls, clear deli containers, condiment cups, eco-friendly packaging, and custom engineered solutions, Genpak delivers solutions to fit most every need. Versatile and innovative, our variety of food service containers are designed to fit your business needs.
• No tank tops, ripped, torn, soiled clothes, no jewelry for the tour portion, required closed toe shoes.

Kilgore College Manufacturing and Industrial Tech 300 South High St. (Back Parking Lot)

• Kilgore College’s main campus was established in Kilgore in 1935. The college has maintained a center in Longview since 1976 and KC-Longview serves approximately 3,000 students annually. For more than 30 years, KC-Longview has grown into a comprehensive educational location with classes for university transfer, workforce education, lifelong learning, and adult education and literacy, including preparation for the Certificate of High School Equivalency (GED). KC promotes great value, primarily for its 20-member school district service area in Northeast Texas, with a highly competitive cost. KC offers 138 academic majors, has an enrollment of more than 11,000 students (academic & Career and Technical Education.)
• Tour participants will have an opportunity to see up close and personal the training space and equipment used to prepare student to enter the fast-paced high paying world of manufacturing. The tour will take you through the lab space, demonstrate some of the equipment and include a presentation about the different options Kilgore College offers in the exciting field.

LeTourneau University Engineering, 2100 S Mobberly Ave, Longview, TX

• The LeTourneau University School of Engineering and Engineering Technology prepares students for impactful careers across seven engineering disciplines and five engineering technology fields. The programs offer both academic rigor and a Christ-centered approach, integrating faith with professional development. With a faculty diverse in professional, academic, and ministry backgrounds, students receive hands-on experience through labs, extensive facilities, and senior design projects. The curriculum emphasizes real-world applications, including research, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian work. Additionally, students can broaden their experiences through internships, research, study abroad, and involvement in professional organizations. The Yaskawa Motoman Training Center provides additional hands-on opportunities, offering robot programming training in materials handling and robotic welding through short, one-week courses. Students and professionals can earn Yaskawa Motoman certificates of completion, gaining valuable skills in robot programming and operation. The goal is to equip students to become servant-leaders who can positively influence the engineering profession and their communities in a powerful way.

Merritt Preferred Components, 703 Gladewater St. Kilgore, Tx

• Merritt is a structural component manufacturer serving the aerospace, energy, and commercial industries since 1928. They are a privately owned, modern machine shop manufacturing facility specializing in complex, medium to large, CNC milling, turning, grinding and assembly.
• Closed toed shoes.
• Please enter through shop office.

Workforce Solutions will be setting up in Downtown Longview to provide free resume assistance and interview preparation, as well as other services pertaining to workforce readiness on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Participants can visit Workforce Solutions to become more job-ready or to apply for current open positions from various companies.

Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N. Fredonia St, Longview, TX 75601

• Admission: Free.

Downtown Longview will be full of hands-on activities as we explore science and technology during Little Big Techs. On Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., the Gregg County Historical museum will have STEAM-related activities provided through partnerships with area schools. Although the activities will be appropriate for children, the activities will be fun and educational for adults to try as well.

Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N. Fredonia St, Longview, TX 75601

• Admission: Free.

Longview World of Wonders 112 E. Tyler St., Longview, TX 75601

• Admission: $5 (or free for museum members)

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Various Locations Across East Texas, 109 W. Tyler St., Longview, United States