Big Techs Industry Tours & Little Big Techs Hands-on Showcase

Big Techs Tours

Ever wonder how stuff is made? Come see how Komatsu builds the world's largest front end loader, how Eastman and Westlake turn chemicals into products, how Gap distributes goods around the country, how Holt Cat rebuilds industrial-size engines, and other cool technology. Join us for Big Techs: the behind-the-scene tours of what makes Longview 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, Longview 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 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., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. There are 10 industries but only 5 tour times, so choose the tours that work best for you. Please note age restrictions and clothing restrictions on some tours.

Little Big Techs, Downtown Longview

Downtown Longview will be full of hands-on activities as we explore science and technology during Little Big Techs. On Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., two downtown Longview museums 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)

Little Big Techs Downtown Showcase Participants: (exact location to be determined)

• Pine Tree Middle School Robotics
• Kilgore College
• UT Tyler University Academy
• Longview Public Library
• Wiley College
• Texas State Technical College

Industry Tour Descriptions:

, 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.

, 2414 Crosby Way. Minimum Age 11.

• Founder Oliver Crosby patented the first wire rope clip in 1888, and his design is the most trusted on the market to this day. Whether you are hoisting a giant load by crane or securing equipment during construction, you have to be confident that your hook and rigging is the best available. The Crosby Group is a leading manufacturer of rigging, lifting, and material handling hardware serving a wide range of industries including construction, oil and gas, renewable energy, cell tower, heavy lift, and cargo handling. Crosby employs more than 400 people at their Longview facility.

• No heels or open toed shoes. No shorts or skirts. PPE including safety shoes will be provided. Park in visitor section of main employee parking lot.

Eastman & Westlake 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

, 5401 Mickey Melton Blvd. Minimum Age 12.

• Gap was founded in 1969 with a simple idea—make it easier to find a pair of jeans that fit with a commitment to do more. In the over 50 years since, the company has grown into seven brands, and our initial commitment to do more has grown into a global ambition to champion equality, inclusivity, and sustainability. In 2021, Gap began construction on a new state-of-the-art 850,000 square foot, $140 million Customer Experience Center in Longview designed to deliver inventory faster and more efficiently to customers across the country.
• No hoodies, no baggie clothes, no long necklaces, no dangling earrings, closed toed shoes (no crocs, no heels), tennis shoes are acceptable, hair must be up above the shoulder.

Holt CAT Machine Division, 5110 W. Loop 281

• A tour of the construction equipment at the Holt CAT Machine Division. HOLT CAT Longview sells, services and rents heavy equipment, trucks and trailers, engines and generators for construction, earth-moving, mining, industrial, petroleum and agriculture.

Holt CAT Power Systems, 2210 Neiman Marcus 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: 18.

• 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.

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.

Nucor Steel, 301 Nimitz St. Minimum age: 18.

• Bring on the heat at this steel mill that melts metal at 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit! Nucor is North America's largest steel producer, the most diversified steel products company, and the largest steel recycler in North America. The Longview facility was originally owned by RG LeTourneau and was built to support the heavy equipment side of his businesses. The mill was purchased by Nucor in 2016.
• Long pants and closed toe shoes required. Park at the teammate parking lot located next to the entrance gate. Guests will be escorted and check-in at the conference room.

STEMCO, 300 Industrial Drive. Minimum Age: 12

• STEMCO, which is an acronym for Specialized Truck Equipment Manufacturing Co, is a world-class manufacturer of innovative commercial vehicle solutions. STEMCO has been supplying a diverse line of high performance systems and components to the commercial vehicle industry since 1951. Originally founded in Missouri, the company headquarters moved to Longview in 1956. The company produces wheel adapter,s, drum check gauges, oil seals, exhaust accessories and more.

• 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.

Host or Publisher City of Longview