In a press release, HWI said that the choice to expand its U.S. production capabilities comes in response to an uptick in customer demand and recent major CAPEX projects announced by domestic steel producers.

The manufacturing hub will increase HWI’s capacity to produce magnesia-carbon refractory bricks used in electric arc furnace steelmaking.

“We are proud to be a U.S.-based supplier to the steel industry that invests in production capacity, technology, and services commensurate with our customers’ recently announced investments. The new facility, combined with our high-performing ferrous product operations in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Georgia and Ontario, will allow us to ramp up capacity dramatically,” HWI chairman and chief executive Carol Jackson said.

HWI is currently determining a location for the new facility. Construction is expected to wrap up by the third quarter of 2022.