Esmark Steel Group, the wholly owned steel services subsidiary of Esmark Inc., acquired the assets of Schaumburg, Ill.-based value-added steel distributor Kelco Metals Inc. for more than $9 million. Kelco Metals specializes in hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated steel products, serving OEM manufacturers. The company, which has been in business for more than 17 years, maintains offices in Schaumburg and Charleston, S.C., and employs approximately 15 people.

The acquisition of Kelco Metals’ steel distribution assets will expand Esmark’s footprint to the southeastern U.S. and bolsters the company’s expanding customer base. Earlier this year, Esmark acquired the assets of Century Steel and Sun Steel in Chicago Heights, Ill., and Independent Steel in Cleveland, Ohio.