2/11/2011
NEWS BRIEFS
New SBQ Steel Facility Comes Online
SBQ steel producer Republic Engineered Products Inc. announced that its new $20 million precision sizing mill and related equipment at its rolling operation in Blasdell (Lackawanna), NY, is fully operational.
The new sizing mill is North America’s first model 370++ Kocks three-roll reducing and sizing block (RSB). The facility enables Republic to produce round and hex-shaped bars and coils with closer-than-standard tolerances for the near-net forging and cold-forming industries.
The mill works as a finishing block to produce rounds (.750” to 3.000”) and hexagons (.750” to 1.812”), and finishes bar-in-coils within the same dimensional range and sections. Republic anticipates that larger hexagon sizes will be available in the near future.
The new system includes a quick automatic stand-changing system, a pass and guide remote adjustment, and a computer-aided adjusting system for stands and guides. Reduced downtime related to more-efficient changing times and improved product quality have led to production and yield improvements in Lackawanna since the start-up of the mill.
“We’re pleased to bring additional capacity to the hot-rolled marketplace through increased production efficiencies thanks to our new mill in New York,” said Republic President and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Vigil. “Not only are we producing more in Lackawanna, we’re producing product with much-improved diameter tolerances, which enables more consistent part quality for our customers.”
Canton, OH-based Republic also has begun using additional capacity at its Canton FlexCast Facility to produce 9.75” X 7.50” blooms.
With automotive companies’, forgers’, and parts manufacturers’ demand for bloom cast product skyrocketing, Republic saw a timely opportunity to enhance bloom production to address its customers’ needs.
“We’ve got a good feel for the market, so we’re well aware that customers have been experiencing a tough time finding blooms,” Vigil said. “Lead times have extended significantly, and fortunately Republic has the ability to provide some relief.”
Republic operates facilities in Canton, Lorain and Massillon, OH; Lackawanna, NY; Gary, IN; and Hamilton, Ontario. The company employs about 2,000 people. ©2011 GlobalFastenerNews.com
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