North Star BlueScope Steel, a leader in hot-rolled coil production and customer satisfaction, is proceeding with up to $130 million in additional focused investments in Northwest Ohio aimed at expanding annual output by more than 10%. The investments at the Fulton County facility also will grow the mill’s workforce by at least 25 employees and as much as 30 full-time positions to more than 600 total team members.
The additional investment across nine projects comes on the heels of BlueScope’s previous $735 million expansion in Delta to increase output by almost 50% by adding an additional electric arc furnace (EAF) to bring the mill’s EAF count to three.
“Ohio has always been an American powerhouse in the steel industry, and today’s announcement underscores the strength and skill of our state’s workforce. We welcome North Star BlueScope’s continued confidence in Ohio and congratulate them on their growth as an industry leader.”
– Mike DeWine, Ohio Governor
Since that expansion, North Star successfully has managed its ramp up while maintaining exceptional quality, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and a continued focus on reducing its impact on the environment and natural resources.
“I believe we have the most committed and engaged team of professionals in the steel industry,” said North Star BlueScope President Conrad Winkler. “Our people are as passionate about the steel we produce for our customers as they are for the communities we live in across Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine lauded the company’s decision to expand in Ohio and acknowledged its success in one of the state’s strongest industries.
“Ohio has always been an American powerhouse in the steel industry, and today’s announcement underscores the strength and skill of our state’s workforce,” DeWine said. “We welcome North Star BlueScope’s continued confidence in Ohio and congratulate them on their growth as an industry leader.”
To achieve the targeted capacity increase, investments have been identified across the steelmaking process and broken down into nine project workstreams that will enhance overall mill stability and throughput. Completion of the program is expected in 2027.
“We have grown North Star’s capabilities as part of BlueScope while preserving our ability to remain agile for our customers who depend on us to deliver consistent quality, on-time. We’re also proud of our collective contributions to Fulton County communities and beyond. This is where our team members live and raise their families.”
The company recognized and highlighted the efforts of economic development partners in moving the project forward, including Fluton County Economic Development Corporation, the Regional Growth Partnership and JobsOhio.
“North Star BlueScope’s continued investment in Fulton County reflects Ohio’s strength in the steel industry, the unrivaled talent of Ohio’s workforce, and how companies can thrive in our supportive manufacturing environment. The company’s growth and forward-thinking approach to new business means significant capital investment in its facilities and 30 new jobs to meet rising customer demand.”
– J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio President and CEO
FCEDC also recognized the major employer for its investment in Northwest Ohio. “The Fulton County Economic Development Corporation is thrilled at the growth experienced at North Star BlueScope Steel, one of the largest manufacturing businesses in Fulton County,” said Matt Gilroy, executive director, FCEDC. “This investment, made shortly after the massive $700 million investment made at North Star a few years ago, shows the commitment that BlueScope has in Delta and the trust that the company has in the workforce in Northwest Ohio.”
Winkler notes that continued growth of the steel mill will benefit the communities of Fulton County through added indirect employment opportunities with partners, suppliers and service businesses. Estimates suggest that North Star’s operations support more than 3,500 jobs in the region.
“We are proud to offer good jobs that support families – established and new – that want to live and work in Northwest Ohio,” Winkler said. “As a corporate citizen, we believe reliability at every point also extends to how we show up in our communities and for the environment.”
About the Regional Growth Partnership
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
About North Star BlueScope Steel
North Star BlueScope Steel is the preferred supplier of high-quality steel products (hot-rolled coil) and leading service for customers in critical industries, including automotive, construction, manufacturing and agriculture. Working together, the North Star team operates the lowest carbon-emitting hot-rolled coil steel operation in the U.S. while delivering significant water conservation and reduced waste-to-landfill programs. With more than 575 team members, North Star also is an important corporate citizen in Fulton County, Ohio, promoting volunteerism, community service and sponsorship as core attributes of its organizational culture.
About BlueScope North America
BlueScope North America (BNA) is a critical part of BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL), a leading global provider of innovative steel products with headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, and operations in 15 countries supported by 16,500 team members worldwide. BNA brings together five business units with strong positions in their respective markets and distinct capabilities focused on the needs of our customers. Our customer-centric approach, safe and nimble operations, and superior quality set us apart across the steel lifecycle at BlueScope Recycling and Materials, NorthStar BlueScope Steel, BlueScope Coated Products