A North Carolina-based steel producer with operations primarily in the U.S. and Canada recently announced plans to expand heat treating capabilities at its Arkansas facility with a galvanizing line to support the company’s strategy to grow its automotive market share.
Nucor Corporation’s Board of Directors approved the construction plans at the sheet mill in Hickman of a galvanizing line at the company’s sheet mill with a target date for operations to begin in the first half of 20121. The $240 million investment with an annual capacity of approximately 500,000 tons complements the company’s $230 million investment currently underway to construct a specialty cold mill complex at Nucor Steel Arkansas.
“At Nucor Steel Arkansas, we are building one of the most modern and efficient steel mills in the world,” said John Ferriola, chairman, CEO and president of Nucor. “This new galvanizing line, coupled with our new specialty cold mill complex, will allow us to efficiently produce products beyond the capability of any North American mill, and to have the flexibility to meet current and future demand for advanced high-strength steel products.”
The company is also evaluating building additional galvanizing lines at its other sheet mills as part of Nucor’s initiative to further expand its sheet business.
“Building this galvanizing line will diversify the product mix at Nucor Steel Arkansas and allow us to better serve our automotive and value-added customers,” said MaryEmily Slate, vice president and general manager, Nucor Steel Arkansas. “We are positioning ourselves to become a major supplier to the growing galvanized market in the U.S.”
Nucor and its affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel — in bars, beams, sheet and plate; hollow structural section tubing; electrical conduit; steel piling; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating; and wire and wire mesh.
