Steel Technologies will invest $18 million to build a new 83,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee. This will be the company’s second location in Rutherford County, and create 50 new jobs.

The company processes flat-rolled steel to specific thickness, width, temper, finish and shape requirements for the automotive, appliance, lawn and garden, agriculture, construction, office furniture, hardware and consumer goods industries. Operating 24 facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Steel Technologies employs more than 1,800 people and produces over $2 billion in annual sales. Hiring at the Smyrna plant will begin in late 2016 or early 2017.

“This new greenfield operation expands our exposed and unexposed automotive slitting and blanking capabilities,” Steel Technologies Vice President of Operations Randall Patterson said. “The facility will handle both steel and aluminum as we continue to deliver greater value and services to our strategic customers in the area.”

Construction will begin mid-summer and is expected to be complete by the end of the first quarter of next year. To accommodate its current customers and attract future clients, Steel Technologies will install a slitting line and a 1,000 ton blanking press to expand its platform in Tennessee. The company also has an existing location in Murfreesboro which employs 87 people.

“Tennessee’s employment in steel product manufacturing is 26 percent above the national average, and today’s announcement continues to support our state’s growth in that industry,” Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said. “We appreciate Steel Technologies for choosing to expand its Rutherford County footprint and create new jobs for Team Tennessee. I’m proud of the hardworking efforts of our local partners and look forward to Steel Technologies’ continued success in Tennessee.”

“TVA and Middle Tennessee EMC congratulate Steel Technologies on its decision to locate in Rutherford County,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are proud to partner with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, Rutherford County and town of Smyrna and TNECD to help facilitate this location decision and look forward to working with Steel Technologies to help further the tremendous growth of the automotive industry in this area.”