EXPANSION
of 400,000 tons, producing gauges between 0.013 inches and 0.16 inches, and widths between 36 inches and 72 inches. Construction will take place during the next 24 months, with operations expected to begin mid-year 2020.
In 2017, SDI added a paint line and Galvalume capabilities at the plant. The process produces a product that is more resistant to corrosion, used frequently in metal roofing and similar products. The $100 million investment created more than 40 jobs, bringing to 740 people now working at the sprawling plant which is located on a 1,300-acre campus just east of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.
Two other steel processors, Mississippi Steel Pro-
cess and New Process Steel are located on the campus as are some other smaller operations.
“Steel Dynamics' continued investment in its Columbus operations play an important role in strengthening the local community and providing hundreds of good-paying jobs to the people of Lowndes County. This latest expansion illustrates the Golden Triangle region is a strong manufacturing hub with a skilled workforce, which provides companies with ample opportunities for growth,” Gov. Phil Bryant said.
Steel Dynamics is one of the largest domestic steel producers and metals recyclers in the United States based on estimated annual steelmaking and metals recycling capability, with facilities located throughout the United States, and in Mexico. Steel Dynamics produces steel products, including hot roll, cold roll, and coated sheet steel, structural steel beams and shapes, rail, engineered special-bar quality
steel, cold finished steel, merchant bar products, specialty steel sections and steel joists and deck.
“We can't say enough about how grateful we are for SDI's commitment to the Golden
Triangle. This mill came to Lowndes County in 2005 and it has been the gift that keeps on giving,” said Harry Sanders, president of the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors. “We look forward to supporting SDI in this investment and hopefully many more to come.”
The current tariffs war between the United States and countries like Mexico and China have sparked concerns about potential negative impacts on Steel Dynamics. But others have said although it may cut into the plant's sales in Mexico,it may make up for them filling the void in domestic markets and at a higher price than cheap steel imports which have forced down prices.
In either case, economic development experts say the company wouldn't be making the investment if it didn't think the long-term outlook was positive.
“I see tariffs as to keep the sick ones that are barely making it alive,” he said. “(SDI) is one of the most efficient, one of the most competitive, making the most money. SDI is going to get that business anyway. If it's that bad, why invest hundreds of millions of dollars to build this capacity?” said Joe Higgins, CEO of the Golden Triangle Development Link, which announced the expansion.