NEW ORLEANS — As advanced manufacturing and clean energy investments continue to reshape Louisiana’s industrial footprint, Mullin played a key role in delivering the exterior environment at First Solar’s new $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish.
Working alongside general contractor Rudolph Libbe, Mullin led the landscape and irrigation installation for the 2.4 million-square-foot facility, supporting a campus that spans more than 130 acres and now employs hundreds of Louisiana workers. The project reflects how landscape construction functions as essential site infrastructure on large-scale industrial developments, supporting operations, safety, and workforce experience from day one.
“On projects of this size, landscape is not an afterthought,” said Chase Mullin, Founder & CEO of Mullin. “It is part of the infrastructure. It supports drainage and circulation, protects long-term investment, and helps create an environment that reflects the scale and importance of the work happening inside the facility.”
Landscape Infrastructure at Industrial Scale
Mullin’s scope at the First Solar Iberia Parish facility included the installation of 175 trees to define circulation corridors, buffer industrial zones, and soften building mass across the site. The team completed approximately 130 acres of hydroseeded areas engineered for erosion control and long-term site stability, along with four acres of sod in high-visibility and high-traffic locations.
The project also required the installation of a large-scale irrigation system, including a dedicated pump serving parking areas and outdoor employee spaces. Mullin completed minor drainage improvements coordinated with site grading and installed limestone at mechanical, electrical, and plumbing access points, as well as other high-traffic areas to improve durability and ongoing maintenance access.
Work was completed in August 2025 and coordinated across multiple phases as the facility ramped up production ahead of schedule.
Workforce Development Starts on the Ground
For Mullin, the First Solar project reflects more than construction delivery; it represents a broader workforce and operational story. Beyond the nearly 800 manufacturing jobs created inside the facility, projects of this scale require skilled landscape professionals with experience operating in industrial environments.
“These projects demand experienced project managers, operators, irrigation specialists, and field leaders who understand how industrial sites function,” Mullin said. “They create real career pathways for our crews and reinforce that landscape construction and maintenance is a technical trade with long-term opportunity.”
As industrial, energy, and manufacturing facilities continue to expand across Louisiana and the Gulf South, Mullin has increased its focus on training, safety, and leadership development to meet growing demand for complex site and landscape infrastructure.
Shaping the Employee and Visitor Experience
At the Iberia Parish facility, landscape work supports more than visual appeal. It contributes to circulation, stormwater management, outdoor gathering areas, and the overall experience of employees and visitors who interact with the site daily.
“Exterior environments shape how people engage with a facility before they ever step inside,” Mullin added. “For a project of this magnitude, those details matter. They support recruitment, retention, and pride in the workplace.”
With multiple large-scale industrial and energy projects underway across the region, Mullin continues to position itself as a trusted partner for owners and general contractors seeking landscape solutions that perform at scale and endure over time.
About Mullin: Mullin is a leading provider of commercial and industrial landscape construction and maintenance services throughout the Gulf South. With a commitment to quality, reliability, and safety, Mullin delivers professional landscape solutions that support long-term site performance and operational excellence.