SSAB will today hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new heat treating facility for quenched and tempered steels. SSAB invests nearly $300 million for the heat treating facility in order to expand its line operations in Alabama. The investment is part of the program announced in 2008 to further develop SSAB's production base in the United States.
Located on the site of its existing steel mill in Mobile County, Alabama, USA, the facility is a part of SSAB's global strategy to maintain its position as a leader in the supply of high strength steels.
The groundbreaking ceremony is the official start of construction for the new state-of-the-art heat treating facility, which will produce value-added steel plate used throughout the manufacturing and construction sectors. Additional improvements include a vacuum tank degasser and roll shifting technology. The investment is expected to add more than 100 high quality jobs.
"SSAB is focused on meeting our customers' growing demand for quenched and tempered steels. With this new heat treating line, we are well-positioned for broad expansion particularly for niche steel grade products," said Olof Faxander, President and CEO SSAB.
"Once this facility is fully operational, we will increase our quenched and tempered steel capacity by 200,000 metric tons. We are proud to have the opportunity to build this facility with the support of team members throughout SSAB and the community," said David Britten, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Americas.
Britten is speaking during the ceremony today, together with Linda Swann, director of the Alabama Development Office; Troy Wayman, Vice President of Alabama Economic Development; and Merceria Ludgood, Mobile County Commissioner.
The new facility is expected to be brought into commission in the first half of 2012.