Nucor Corporation To Expand Ohio River Plant

Nucor Corporation announced September 7 that its board of directors has approved an investment of $650 million to expand the production capability of Nucor Steel Gallatin, the company’s barge-served flat-rolled sheet steel mill located on the Ohio River in Ghent, Ky.

This investment will increase the plant’s production capability from 1.6 million tons to about 3 million tons annually and will increase the maximum coil width to approximately 73 inches. The project is expected to create 70 full-time jobs.

The expansion complements the $176 million investment currently underway to construct a hot band continuous pickle galvanizing line at Nucor Steel Gallatin. The pickle galvanizing line is expected to be operational in the first half of 2019 and will produce about 500,000 tons per year of galvanized hot band steel.

“This investment is another major component of our planned strategy for long-term profitable growth,” said John Ferriola, chairman, CEO and president of Nucor. “Together with the new galvanizing line, this expansion increases our presence in the important Midwest market, specifically in the automotive, agriculture, heavy equipment, and energy pipe and tube sectors.” Nucor acquired the former Gallatin Steel Company in late 2014 for approximately $780 million.

“We would like to thank Gov. Matt Bevin, our local officials, East Kentucky Power Cooperative and Owen Electric, our teammates and the entire community for their support,” said John Farris, vice president and general manager, Nucor Steel Gallatin.