“That gives not only me, not only our investors, but our employees and our banks great comfort that we’re really on to something here,” Stickler said.

Speaking during a Tuesday panel discussion, Stickler shared a few updates on progress on the Arkansas facility, saying that the 630,000-ton plant is scheduled to begin production in 2025. He said it will be able to meet 6% of forecasted U.S. and Canadian consumption.  

Stickler said that as a strategic move, Hybar does not intend to enter the rebar fabrication sector, alleviating concerns of potential buyers, the vast majority of whom are independent fabricators and who sometimes have no choice but to purchase rebar from steelmakers who also fabricate it. 

“We believe that the combination of not getting into the fabrication business and having an environmentally sustainable footprint will serve us well,” Stickler said.