Nucor to become majority owner of West Coast mill

Nucor Corp. plans to acquire a majority ownership position in California Steel Industries Inc. (CSI) by purchasing a 50 percent equity interest from a subsidiary of Vale S.A. and a 1 percent equity ownership stake from JFE Steel Corp. The company will be a joint venture between Nucor and JFE, pending regulatory approvals. Nucor will pay Vale $400 million for its share. This move expands Nucor’s reach to the West Coast. Leon Topalian, president and CEO, says the acquisition of CSI also provides opportunities for increased internal shipments and enables Nucor to provide its downstream businesses in the region with more closely sourced sheet products. CSI converts slabs into coils, producing more than 2 million tons of hot-rolled, pickled and oiled, cold-rolled, galvanized and ERW pipe. Key end-use segments served by CSI include customers in the construction, service center and energy industries. CSI employs more than 800 full-time and temporary employees. No transaction closing date was given.

The company made two other major announcements during December. First, it plans to build a rebar mill, with spooling capabilities, somewhere in the South Atlantic states. This will be Nucor’s third rebar micromill, joining existing mills in Missouri and Florida, both of which started up during 2020. The budget for the new 430,000-ton micromill is $350 million. Secondly, the steelmaker will add a blast and prime line at its $1.7 billion steel plate mill being built in Brandenburg, Kentucky. The blast and prime line will have an annual capacity of 120,000 tons and will provide Nucor’s Plate Group with broader capabilities for customers buying wide, thick plate. The plate mill is scheduled to start up during the fourth quarter.

Reliance makes two acquisitions

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. has acquired Nu-Tech Precision Metals Inc., a custom manufacturer of specialty extruded metals, fabricated parts and welded components. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Arnprior, Ontario, Nu-Tech serves the nuclear, aerospace and military markets, among others. Finished products include tube, pipe, engineered shapes and round and flat bar from pure metals and alloys of titanium, zirconium, copper, nickel, hafnium, niobium and steel. Nu-Tech’s annual net sales in 2020 totaled $44 million. Reliance also acquired Admiral Metals Servicecenter Co. Inc., Woburn, Massachussets, which distributes nonferrous metal products across the Northeast. Founded in 1950, Admiral Metals serves such end markets as semiconductor, automotive, medical, infrastructure, aerospace and general industry. It has eight branches. Admiral Metals’ 2020 net sales were $134 million. The terms of these purchases were not disclosed.

Shipbuilder collaborates with SSAB

Austal USA has contracted with SSAB’s Mobile, Alabama, steelworks to provide steel for Navy ships. Austal will source steel plates in various strength and size that will be cut, shaped, welded and fitted into U.S. Navy vessels. Austal USA will launch its new steel components manufacturing shop this April. The company is poised to start construction on vessels for the U.S. Navy’s T-ATS (tug, salvage, and rescue) program.

Machinery builder celebrates 50 years of innovation in the United States

AMADA AMERICA INC. recently celebrated 50 years of operation in the United States along with another important milestone. The event was held at AMADA’s Carolina Technical Center (CTC), which marked its one-year anniversary.

Based in High Point, North Carolina, the CTC is located on the same campus as the 197,000-square-foot Carolina Manufacturing Center that produces AMADA’s newest line of press brakes—the HRB Series. Both facilities were built to support U.S. fabricators. Since opening in October 2020, AMADA’s technical staff welcomes visitors for one-on-one machine demonstrations and technical events.

AMADA’s growing network of U.S. manufacturing sites has established the company as an American manufacturer of sheet metal fabrication equipment. In California, a full line of 3kW to 12kW laser cutting systems and modular automation systems are built at the Brea Manufacturing Center. Tooling for the high-performance HRB Series is manufactured at AMADA TOOL AMERICA INC. in Batavia, New York. Coast-to-coast manufacturing capabilities give American fabricators advantages like expedited delivery of AMADA’s machine tool solutions.

To provide hands-on demonstrations of the latest generation of equipment, AMADA continues to expand its network of customer-centered sites. The CTC, Schaumburg Solution Center and the Los Angeles Technical Center provide regional access to AMADA’s professional staff, including applications engineers and service/support personnel. Each of these facilities is also linked via live video feed—allowing customers to verify machine performance using their own parts on the broadest possible selection of AMADA equipment.

Attendees at the 50th anniversary celebration participated in a variety of events, including facilities and factory tours. The CTC’s 24,000-square-foot Verification Floor showcases the latest AMADA machines and automated systems. As a result, guests viewed equipment demonstrations. Attendees also toured the AMADA Press Brake Academy, established to address the need for experienced press brake operators. In addition to training, the 43-acre campus provides manufacturing, service and technical center all at one location. The event was meant to provide proof that AMADA is committed to support North American fabricators.

Founded in 1971 as a research and development company, AMADA AMERICA INC. plans to continually design and develop machine tool solutions and automated systems to maximize its customers’ productivity.

Reibus secures funding

Reibus, Atlanta, an independent metals marketplace, raised $75 million in Series B funding, which brings Reibus to total funding above $100 million and a valuation of $750 million. The additional funds will further fuel the company’s rapid growth, including expanding the marketplace and mobile app tools and services; accelerating new financial and logistical products; and expanding European business with new dedicated team and resources.

Harry Moser enters AME hall of fame

The Association for Manufacturing Excellence has inducted Harry Moser, president of the Reshoring Initiative, into the AME Hall of Fame. Moser founded the Reshoring Initiative to bring 5 million manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. He worked for machine tool supplier GF AgieCharmilles, starting as president in 1985 and retiring in 2010 as chairman emeritus. The AME Hall of Fame recognizes principled industry thought leaders and influencers.

High-strength steel railcar design unveiled

U.S. Steel Corp., Norfolk Southern Corp. and The Greenbrier Companies Inc. have jointly created a new, more sustainable steel gondola railcar. Using a new formula for high-strength, lighter weight steel developed by U.S. Steel, each gondola’s unloaded weight is reduced by up to 15,000 pounds. Norfolk Southern will initially acquire 800 of the Greenbrier-engineered gondolas. The partnership between steel supplier, railcar builder and end user is based in the knowledge that North America’s aging gondola fleet will soon require substantial replacement with a more sustainable design. The new steel is twice as strong as traditional steel used in railcar manufacturing, potentially extending the useful life of each gondola to 50 years. The new gondola is more energy efficient, both during production and in use. The steel fabrication process requires less time, leading to improved energy efficiency due to less material being used. The lower weight decreases the fuel needed by locomotives hauling the railcars, reducing energy usage and lowering emissions. Enhancements to the gondola design also afford greater freight capacity because high-strength steel requires less structural reinforcement, allowing more total cargo space in each railcar.

BLM Group adds manager for Canada

Equipment builder BLM Group USA, Novi, Michigan, appointed Paul Maietta as the regional sales manager for Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador. Maietta has over 30 years of experience in manufacturing production and operations. He has extensive experience with laser cutting and metal bending machines including installation, production launch, troubleshooting and hands-on operation. Maietta is fluent in English, French and Italian.

Slice of Stainless sold

United Performance Metals, a subsidiary of O’Neal Industries Inc., has purchased the assets of Slice of Stainless, Cincinnati. Slice of Stainless will retain its name, its management and sales teams led by Jim Schneible, who will remain in place as general manager.

Steel Technologies to purchase Calstrip

Steel Technologies LLC, Louisville, Kentucky, plans to buy the assets of Calstrip Industries Inc. Calstrip processes flat-rolled carbon and stainless steels from plants in California, New Mexico, Texas, and Arkansas. It also manages contract business with complex supply chain and inventory management for JIT deliveries. Material offerings include low-carbon and high-carbon steel, stainless steel, galvanized, pre-painted, and aluminum sheet. Industries served include appliance, electrical lighting, construction, HVAC and automotive. Thad Solomon, Steel Technologies’ president and CEO, says the Calstrip acquisition “deepens our ability to serve key customers in the Southwest U.S. and Northern Mexico.” Including Calstrip’s plants, Steel Technologies will grow to 31 facilities throughout North America.

Chemcoaters announces promotion, new hire

Chemcoaters, Gary, Indiana, promoted Rylee Zegley to sales and marketing manager and hired Greg Kauffman as technical sales manager. Zegley started with Chemcoaters in R&D and moved into sales in 2019. Kauffman will serve Chemcoaters clients in the automotive and transportation industries. He has over 10 years of experience serving OEMs and Tier 1 automotive suppliers.

CME Group accepts Flack Global Metals

Flack Global Metals, Chicago, has become a member firm of CME Group, the futures and options trading market, enabling Flack to enhance its market-making activities using the CME Hot Rolled Coil contract. By becoming a CME Group member firm, the risk management team at Flack will now be able to provide even greater liquidity to buyers of flat-rolled products who seek supply chain management and hedging services.

Alliance Steel adds narrow slitting line

Alliance Steel LLC, Gary, Indiana, added a Paxson/Braner 0.250-inch-thick by 24-inch-wide narrow slitting line. Rebuilt in 2021, the new line is equipped with a power-driven head, 16-foot looping pit for camber–free material, and a tension stand. Alongside the 24-inch-wide slitter, Alliance Steel runs a heavy-gauge slitter (0.50 inch thick by 84 inches wide) and a light gauge unit (0.01 inch thick by 72 inches wide).

Copper group names new leader

The Copper Development Association Inc., McLean, Virginia, appointed Andrew G. Kireta Jr. as president and CEO. He succeeds Thomas S. Passek, who served the organization for nearly seven years. Kireta has been with CDA since 1992, working in market development, strategy, and organizational management, most recently as vice president of market development across all copper and alloy product and market areas.

Tube distributor hires territory manager

National Tube Supply, University Park, Illinois, chose Tom Roehrig as its Southeast territory manager. Prior to joining NTS, Roehrig was most recently with IGW USA and Tubular Steel Inc., where he sold and serviced products and led business development efforts. Roehrig has extensive knowledge of mechanical tubing, sales, purchasing and product management.

Alro Steel acquires Ace Steel

Alro Steel, Jackson, Michigan, purchased Ace Steel in Roanoke, Virginia. This asset purchase will allow Alro to expand its customer base while providing improved service for cut-to-size metals. Ace Steel’s customers can now access Alro’s inventory of aluminum, carbon, stainless and tool steels, cast iron, red metals and alloys.

TRUMPF and Equispheres collaborate

Machinery builder TRUMPF is working with Equispheres Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, to qualify its aluminum additive manufacturing powders on TRUMPF 3D printers. Equispheres offers three lines of AlSiMg10 powders optimized for laser powder-bed fusion manufacturing systems. Once the qualification process is complete for Equispheres powders, the company will be recognized as one of TRUMPF’s recommended powder suppliers and the materials will be supported by applications engineers at both Equispheres and TRUMPF.

MC Machinery dealer expands territory

Demmler Machinery was named the exclusive dealer for MC Machinery’s lasers, press brakes and automation equipment in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. Based in Pittsburgh, Demmler Machinery also represents Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and northern West Virginia.

Lock Joint Tube to expand

Lock Joint Tube, a mechanical grade steel tubing manufacturer based in Indiana with locations in Ohio, Texas and Tennessee, plans to expand its existing facility in Temple, Texas. The $21 million investment will include a 37,500-square-foot addition and create more than 30 new positions. The company plans for the expanded facility to be operational by January 2023.

GE Additive unit inks agreement with Airbus

AP&C, Montreal, a GE Additive company, has signed a new agreement with Airbus to provide titanium powders for use in metal additive manufacturing applications. The new multiyear agreement to provide Ti-6AI-4V powders deepens AP&C’s working relationship with Airbus.

Two firms join alliance

Hyster-Yale Group Inc., Cleveland, and Fehr Warehouse Solutions, Charlotte, North Carolina, have both joined North American Steel Alliance, a purchasing cooperative. Hyster-Yale Group Inc. builds lift trucks. Fehr Warehouse manages warehousing logistics.

Extruded Aluminum Corp. to expand

Extruded Aluminum Corp. plans to acquire a 14-acre property adjacent to its current facility in Otisco Township, Michigan. It will use the land to build an addition to house additional production, handling and processing equipment. The company will hire up to 38 people in jobs ranging from inspection and packaging to material handling, maintenance and supervision. The company will invest over $30 million to complete the expansion.

Desktop Metal partners with university

Desktop Metal, Burlington, Massachusetts, and the University of Toledo Institute of Applied Engineering Research have partnered to support the development of nickel-titanium (Nitinol) alloys, Rene alloys, and other non-weldable nickel-based, high-temperature materials on Desktop’s Production System platform. The platform leverages patent-pending single-pass jetting technology designed to achieve the fastest build speeds in the metal 3D printing market.

Machine builder appoints president

American Weldquip Inc., a Sharon Center, Ohio-based manufacturer, appointed Scott Orum as president. He succeeds Howard Fisher, who retired. Orum joined American Weldquip 25 years ago and held a variety of positions in purchasing, shipping, machining, engineering and plant management.

Distributor announces team changes

Tony Palermo was promoted to vice president-commercial for New Castle Stainless Plate LLC, New Cable, Indiana, succeeding Frank Alvin, who retired. Thomas Puetzhofen has joined the company as regional sales manager responsible for commercial activities in the Southeast and Midwest.