Steel Dynamics to expand Pittsboro production

Fort Wayne steelmaker Steel Dynamics Inc. said today it will invest $35 million to boost production of steel bars at its recycling mill at Pittsboro west of Indianapolis.

The “debottlenecking” will increase production 45 percent, to 750,000 tons a year. However, the company wasn’t certain whether employment would climb much beyond the 350 now working at the site.

The mill ships bars to companies involved in heavy machinery, agriculture, transportation and energy.

Steel Dynamics won a battle with rival steelmaker Nucor Corp. to buy the former Qualitech Steel mill out of bankruptcy in 2002.

The plant, which recycles metal by melting it with an electric arc, was rejuvenated. In 2006, a finishing facility was added to heat treat, make precise cuts and other value-added operations.

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