Carol Jackson, Chairman and CEO, and Doug Hall, SVP Integrated Supply Chain, cut the ribbon for HarbisonWalker International's South Point plant with the HWI leadership team
Martha Collins, Chief Technology Officer; Mike Werner, SVP Commercial; Carol Jackson, chairman and CEO; Doug Hall, SVP Integrated Supply Chain; and Brad Cramer, VP, General Counsel cut the cake at HWI's South Point Plant Grand Opening
HarbisonWalker International (HWI), a supplier of refractory products and services in the U.S., has celebrated the grand opening of its newly constructed, state-of-the-art monolithic refractories manufacturing plant in South Point, OH.
HWI announced in February 2017 that it was investing $30 million to build a technologically advanced refractories plant as the next step in its strategy to continuously improve performance and respond to customers' needs. Ground was broken for the new plant on June 8, 2017. The plant began shipping products in spring 2018, opening in just one year and within its planned schedule and budget.
"Our new plant at South Point is a game-changer. It is the most advanced refractory facility in North America and, likely, in the world. It reinvents how we are producing and delivering quality monolithic products. It represents the future of our company and, in many ways, the future of U.S. refractories manufacturing," said Carol Jackson, Chairman and CEO, HarbisonWalker International.
The plant features new state-of-the-art processes and technology and utilizes lean manufacturing techniques throughout its operations to maximize material flow efficiency and production. Led by Tom Roberts, Plant Manager, the South Point team of 40 highly-trained and highly-skilled technicians and staff operates in a team-based environment.
The facility also employs form, fill and seal advanced packaging technologies that are new to the North American refractory market. The new packaging is designed to offer improved product consistency, shelf life and storage, along with easier and safer handling.
"While some of the advanced technologies, processes and equipment at South Point may be similar elsewhere, what makes this plant so outstanding is the ingenious design, engineering and configuration of these elements. This configuration - combined with our overall approach - is completely revolutionary," said Douglas Hall, Senior Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain at HarbisonWalker International.
"The new plant, along with several other capital investments at other HWI manufacturing facilities, is already further elevating product quality and consistency and having a positive impact on product availability, ordering, packaging and support for customers," said a company spokesperson.
"We went from an ideal commercial site to a state-of-the-art monolithic plant in one year's time in South Point. At the same time, we have been hard at work, literally transforming our supply chain and business processes. It has all been possible because every day our dedicated team demonstrates extraordinary collaboration, without compromising quality, safety or ever losing sight of customers' needs," noted Jackson.
In addition to facilities investments, during the past year, the company has also launched an Intellectual Asset Council, a Business Technology Council and enhanced its Rapid Technology Advancement process. Cross-functional teams are identifying new ways to use data and analytics and apply open innovation concepts to create solutions.
For more information contact:
HarbisonWalker International
1305 Cherrington Parkway, Ste. 100
Moon Township, PA 15108
412-375-6600
www.thinkhwi.com