HarbisonWalker International (HWI), a supplier of refractory products and services, announced it intends to invest approximately $25 million to convert its closed property at 2595 Ensley-Pleasant Grove Road in Fairfield, AL, into Alabama One (AL1), a manufacturing, service and distribution hub for steel customers in the southern United States. Construction will begin during the first quarter of 2022, and the 200,000 sq. ft. facility is expected to open before the end of 2022.
"After considering several location options, we are pleased to become a part of the Fairfield-Birmingham business community in Jefferson County again and bring jobs to the region. The location is ideal for delivering quality refractory products and high-value services to our customers' growing steel operations in the southern U.S.," said Carol Jackson, Chairman and CEO, HWI.
The company anticipates hiring 50 highly trained technicians and staff in a team-based environment at the plant. HWI will begin recruiting qualified employees for anticipated positions in early 2022 and provide training as needed. The company anticipates that several jobs will have transferrable skills, such as welders, electricians and mechanics. HWI will encourage local applicants through job fairs and other recruiting efforts, including working with Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) to hire and train new employees.
"We are excited to work with HarbisonWalker International to bring jobs to the Fairfield area of Jefferson County," said Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons, who chairs the commission's Economic Development Committee. "Providing more and better opportunities for our citizens is our goal in working with companies and municipalities."
HWI's proposed new plant will produce magnesia-carbon brick refractories specifically engineered to maximize efficiency and performance in critical steelmaking applications like steel ladles and low-emission electric arc furnaces (EAFs). Initially, production will add approximately 15,000 metric tons annually and ultimately up to 30,000 metric tons as additional equipment is added by 2023.
AL1 will become one of HWI's most technologically advanced and modernized facilities and contribute to HWI's environmental and sustainability goals through energy-efficient operations. It will feature a high degree of robotics automation and technology and utilize lean techniques throughout its processes. HWI is committed to environmental sustainability and working toward carbon-neutral operations.
For more information contact:
HarbisonWalker International
1305 Cherrington Pkwy., Ste. 100
Moon Township, PA 15108
412-375-6800
www.thinkhwi.com