Republic Steel, a leading provider of special-bar-quality (SBQ) steel, has invested $12 million over the last 18 months to supply increased market demand. At its Canton, Ohio, facility, Republic hired 25 new employees this year and invested over $6 million in its melt shop to increase its average production capacity from 40,000 tons per month to 75,000 tons per month. The company is also recruiting for 50 additional positions. At its Lackawanna, N.Y., facility, Republic hired 50 new employees this year and invested approximately $3 million in its rolling facility to increase its average production capacity from 40,000 tons per month to 60,000 tons per month. The company is recruiting for 30 additional positions at Lackawanna.

In addition, Republic anticipates restarting the 9-inch/10-inch rolling mill at its Lorain, Ohio, plant in September 2018 followed by the electric-arc furnace as orders dictate. The first phase of this plan would have Republic hire 80 people over the next two months for the rolling mill, which has capacity of 35,000 tons per month.