NLMK Indiana, a producer of steel bands, announced recently that it will expand its skills training for current and new employees with the projected hiring of 36 additional employees by 2013.
The company which processes hot rolled steel bands for sheet, plate pipe and tube manufacturers throughout the Midwest, also has future plans to invest several million dollars toward equipment and machinery upgrades at the Portage facility.
"NLMK is investing in its employees and as a result is creating a more competitive operation," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "We know the investment and training projects here can lead to future job growth for this facility and the greater Northwest Indiana region."
NLMK, which currently employs more than 300 associates in Portage, plans to continue hiring additional manufacturing workers as needed. Existing workers will begin taking part in new operations, welding, supervisory and electrical training to increase the facility's competitiveness for new business.
"NLMK Indiana is committed to Indiana," said Joe Gazarkiewicz, director of human resources and labor relations at NLMK Indiana. "We are grateful for the support of the state in assisting us in providing current and new employees with the additional skills needed to work in the steel industry."
Established in 1992 as Beta Steel Corp, the company was acquired by Russia-based Novolipetsk Steel, in 2008 and officially changed its name to NLMK Indiana in July. The company has additional U.S. operations in Farrell and Sharon, Pa.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered NLMK Indiana up to $181,500 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Portage will consider additional property tax abatement.
"New jobs for skilled labor is important for our citizens and for the continued economic progress of Portage and the region," said Mayor Olga Velazquez.
Indiana was recently ranked sixth nationally - and tops in the Midwest - in Area Development magazine's "Top States for Doing Business" study. Indiana rates near the top in five of eight categories important to site selection consultants, including second nationally for infrastructure, third for labor climate, fourth for fast-track permitting, fifth for lowest business costs and fifth for business friendliness. The ranking was based on a survey of national site selection consultants.
About NLMK Indiana
Located in Portage, Indiana, the company operates an electric arc furnace melt shop that produces continuous cast steel slabs and a hot strip rolling mill for processing slabs into flat rolled steel products. NLMK Indiana is specializing in the production and sale of hot rolled coils primarily to pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors. The company operates an EAF melt shop and hot strip rolling mill of 800,000 tpa and 1,100,000 tpa capacity, respectively, and employs c.350 people. The company, established in 1992, has modern and well invested production facilities allowing it to supply a wide range of high quality HR steel products. The company provides excellent customer service and industry-leading delivery times, being consistently ranked above the market average. In October 2008, 100% stake in the company was acquired by Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK) for USD 350m
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
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