Central Businessman Receives State Honor

Submitted by Sue Jane't
    Stafford Palombo, Central resident and founder/chairman of Omni Industries Inc, was presented with the 2012 District 7 Lantern Award at a reception held June 12th, at the LA Governor’s Mansion.  The prestigious award is given each year by the partnership of Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Quality Foundation. The Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts is composed of eight distinct, professional organizations, working to improve the economic and social growth of their individual districts.  The Lantern Award is given, in each regional district, for excellence and outstanding contributions to the over-all Louisiana economy and that of its surrounding communities. The selection process considers growth in employment numbers and expansion of facilities.  
     Omni Industries takes pride in its 30 year history of service to the marketplace. The three-generational, family-operated company, extended its operations from the parent office here in Central, to become one of the elite companies in manufacturing and packaging lubricants in the U.S.and 35 countries around the globe.  It supplies and distributes chemicals and fluids to mass merchandisers, retailers and wholesalers, including O’Reilly Auto Parts; Stihl; Lowes; Home Depot; Gulf Oil; and XTO/Exxon.  In 1998, Omni Industries expanded into production, with the building of its plant near Shreveport (Omni Specialty Packaging). The team reinvested in their operations to include freight and movement of products through out Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas (Omni Freight Systems). They have invested over four million dollars in expansions and upgrades to the port of Caddo-Bossier over the last 3 years.
     Omni’s most recent venture is the two year old Omni Industrial Solutions company. It is a specialty chemical company serving the oil and gas industry with treatment chemicals and lubricants for production and pipeline systems. This developing “arm” of Omni Industries operates currently in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, with expectations of coverage over the entire midsouth in the next 2-3 years. 
     The Omni Industries team initiates philanthropic events and benevolence in supporting charities including: St. Jude’s Research Hospital, Race for the Cure, The Arc of Baton Rouge, March of Dimes, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Buckets of Hope (Haiti hurricane relief), and Texas Children’s Hospital.
     The name, Omni Industries, represents quality, character and integrity. The positive culture in its workplace creates the synergy necessary for success. Though always thankful for God’s faithfulness in the achievements of his business, Stafford says Omni’s greatest investment is in its people. It is the mission of the Omni leadership to better the lives of its employees, clients, and community.
     The coveted Lantern Award honors companies that go that extra mile to invest in Louisiana’s economy and contribute to its growth. Omni Industries has achieved and perhaps exceeded that standard.  Congratulations!