A major U.S. steel producer recently awarded a contract to a global industrial engineering group to add a continuous hot dip galvanizing line to the company’s existing plant in Columbus, Mississippi.
This was the second contract that Steel Dynamics, Inc, (SDI) awarded to Fives in a six-month period.
The Columbus Flat Roll Division of SDI is investing $140 million to add the line (CGL № 3) and diversify its offerings to the automotive, agriculture, appliance, building and construction, energy, HVAC, lighting, and machinery industries. The advanced line, which will be capable of producing 400,000 tons per year, will be dedicated to producing unexposed automotive steel grades, as well as other commercial and specialized steel grades.
The scope of supply includes a complete design and supply of entry & exit coil handling sections, a degreasing section, a horizontal annealing furnace, hot dip galvanizing and cooling equipment, a skin-pass mill and strip leveler, inspection, metallurgical assistance for different steel grades and types of coating, as well as construction and commissioning assistance.
The new line is expected to be commissioned in the middle of 2020.
“SDI’s target is to increase value-added product capacity, diversify product portfolio and increase profitability by investing in new projects and advanced technologies; and we look forward to again working with Fives. With the three lines in Columbus, Mississippi, and a fourth planned for the new mill in south western region, SDI will become the leading supplier and a one-stop shop of coated products for customers throughout southern region of United States and in Mexico,” said Madhu Ranade, vice president and general manager of SDI Columbus.
“We are proud to work with SDI to contribute to the success of their entrepreneurial-oriented business. Fives has significant references worldwide designing and supplying advanced technologies, including complete annealing, galvanizing and coating lines in the USA, Europe and Asia,” said Guillaume Mehlman, president of the Fives’ Steel Division.
