Digital media company to launch testing facility in New Orleans
London-based Testronic plans to launch a new 150-job testing facility for digital games in New Orleans.
Gov. John Bel Edwards and Testronic executive Mike Betti made the announcement on Thursday, according to a Greater New Orleans Inc. news release.
Testronic, a leading quality assurance firm in the digital gaming industry, offers outsourced testing services to the worldwide game-development sector. The new quality assurance location will be housed at the New Orleans Exchange Centre, located at 935 Gravier St. The building was the formerly known as Chevron Place.
The company plans to ramp up to full employment at its New Orleans facility in 2022. Testronic plans to produce an annual payroll of more than $5 million. Louisiana Economic Development predicts the Testronic project will result in another 169 new indirect jobs, totaling 319 new jobs.
“Testronic’s decision to locate their new testing lab in New Orleans is yet another validation of our decade-long effort to make Greater New Orleans and Louisiana a new hub for technology and innovation,” Michael Hecht, president of GNO Inc., said in a news release. “Significantly, the Testronic jobs will provide economic opportunities for many across our region to build and grow their careers. The attraction of a global videogame service provider will further support GNO Inc.’s efforts to build out the videogame sector throughout the region, underscoring our mission to provide a thriving economy that allows everyone to participate and prosper.”
“New Orleans has emerged as a leading hub for new investments in digital media and software development, and this investment from Testronic is the latest in a series of victories for Louisiana’s growing digital media industry,” Gov. Edwards said in the news release.
Founded in 1998, Testronic is headquartered in the United Kingdom, and has U.S. operations in Burbank, California. The company also has studios in Poland and Chile. Testronic will make a $500,000 capital investment to build-out space in New Orleans.
Betti said the center is crucial to Testronic’s strategic growth objectives: delivering industry-leading testing and localization solutions to clients, and establishing new opportunities for employees.
Testing products and games is a key part of Testronic, with a diverse team of testers who ensure issues are identified and solved. Testronic will provide entry-level technology jobs in New Orleans.
The State of Louisiana is providing Testronic with a competitive incentive package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. The company also is expected to participate in the state’s Digital Media incentive.
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