Area Development
Charter Steel plans to build a new $150 million Special Bar Quality (SBQ) bar mill adjacent to its existing coil mill and steelmaking operations in Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio.

According to company officials, the highly automated rolling mill will utilize precision sizing to produce diameters from .750 to 3.250 inches (19 to 83mm) in bar lengths from 12 to 50 feet (3.7 to 15.3m). Company leaders said the project, which will not interrupt existing steel coil operations, will support Charter Steel’s desire to serve new markets, and will add production flexibility for the benefit of its existing and prospective new customers.

The new mill represents an investment of $150 million and is expected to be online in the second half of 2018, said John W. Mellowes, CEO of parent company Charter Manufacturing Company, Inc. The project will create about 25 jobs and represents the largest single investment in the family-owned company’s 81-year history.

“Growth and continuous improvement are in Charter’s DNA,” Mellowes said. “We see an opportunity here to grow by leveraging a very successful high-service model, coupled with advanced steelmaking, to serve both existing and prospective new customers with an engineered, cut-length bar.

“That said we will be forever fastened to our loyal coiled-rod and coiled-bar customers,” he added. “In fact, as part of this project, we will also be adding new coil finishing assets that will enhance our coil package, our surface quality and the flexibility to roll more sizes more often, coiled or straight.”

“Once again, we have been able to rely on some exceptional partners here in Ohio,” said Robert J. Venable, President & COO of Charter Manufacturing Company. “Given the scope of this project, Charter Steel received substantial support and assistance from numerous state and local governments, agencies and development funding resources. We offer our sincere appreciation to the State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County, the Village of Cuyahoga Heights, the Cuyahoga Heights School District, the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Team NEO for their outstanding collaboration. Without their help, this would not have been possible.”

Jack M. Bacci, Mayor of the Village of Cuyahoga Heights, said “This is simply incredible news for our region and a great example of how a collaborative effort from local, county and state governments is getting things done for the sustainability of our workforces,” he said. “The climate for Ohio's businesses is right, from the smallest Villages to our biggest Cities."