The Material Works Ltd. (TMW) announced it has committed to build an advanced flat rolled toll processing center adjacent to the new Big River Steel mill in Osceola, Arkansas. Construction will begin in second quarter 2015 with the facility expected to be fully operational to coincide with Big River Steel’s opening in 2016. TMW will invest approximately $ 20 million in the new facility where 45 new jobs will be created.
Phase 1 of the toll processing center calls for a 110,000-square-foot facility to house both cut-to-length and slitting lines capable of processing material from the lightest gauge the mill will produce up to half inch.
Eric Fritsche, Vice President of Processing for TMW explained, “We will offer important value-added services to Big River Steel customers, including stretcher leveling, and our property will allow us to double our building as volumes increase.”
TMW President Kevin Voges added, “We are excited at the prospect of working with customers of Big River Steel as an on-site processor. Osceola offers a number of advantages for steel production and processing, and this new facility will match the high standards of the TMW employees at our Red Bud, Illinois operation that have already won the confidence of customers in the region. We thank those employees and the grace of our Lord who blessed us with this opportunity.”
TMW was founded in 1992 by Kenneth Voges, a pioneer in steel processing technology. In addition to its steel processing activities, the company’s research-and-development efforts have resulted in the awarding of 12 patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with several corresponding patents outside the U.S. The company continues to research technology to transform commodity hot rolled black steel into a markedly more valuable product. This research has already led to the development of two patented processes used worldwide.
“As we’ve said from the beginning of this process, we expect Big River Steel to generate jobs and economic activity outside of its fence as the company’s suppliers, related service providers and customers move into the area,” said Grant Tennille, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Today we celebrate The Material Works and its decision to locate in Osceola. We look forward to additional announcements in northeast Arkansas over the coming months.”
"We have met with the management of The Material Works several times and I am so excited that they have made the decision to locate a facility in Osceola,” said Osceola Mayor Dickie Kennemore. “This is an excellent company to have in our industrial community, and their history proves that they will add quality management and quality jobs to this facility and our community.”
Mark Bula, Chief Commercial Officer for Big River Steel commented, “The Material Works brings a complete package in terms of innovation, quality, and experience in the region. Our customers will enjoy working with TMW.”
ABOUT THE MATERIAL WORKS
The Material Works, Ltd. (TMW) is a privately held company committed to excellence in the toll processing of flat rolled metals. With headquarters near St. Louis, Missouri, TMW performs slitting, blanking, cut-to-length, leveling and EPS processing for service centers and OEM manufacturers throughout the central and southern USA. The TMW Technology Division researches and develops new steel processing technologies that are used worldwide, including the EPS process replacement for acid pickling. For more information, visit www.thematerialworks.com.
ABOUT BIG RIVER STEEL
Big River Steel LLC is building the USA’s most advanced ‘flex-mill’ on the Mississippi River in Osceola, Arkansas to serve the needs of the automotive, oil and gas, and electrical energy industries for high-performance, niche steel products. When fully operational in 2016, Big River Steel will employ over 500. For more information, visit www.bigriversteel.com.