Quanex Corp. announced its plan to proceed with a multi-stage expansion program at its MACSTEEL subsidiary. The $20-million Phase VIII expansion will increase production capability at the Ft. Smith, AR, plant by 40,000 tons/year to about 500,000 tons/year, and bring the total shipping capability of the MACSTEEL division to 1.3 million tons/year.
MACSTEEL consists of three bar-and-rod producing mini-mills at Jackson and Monroe, MI, and at Ft. Smith. It also operates downstream processing facilities at Huntington, IN.
Without specification, Quanex said that Phase VIII at Ft. Smith involves upgrades to the rotary continuous caster, direct rolling mill, and metallurgical refining areas. The company expects the modernization to improve production flow and finished-product quality.
Raymond A. Jean, Quanex chairman and CEO, said, "MACSTEEL is responding to the growing needs of its customers, and Quanex is committed to supporting the growth of its core businesses."