In a statement, SMS group said the new mill will be annually capable of producing 500,000 tons' worth of merchant products, complementing those already produced at the plant. The new mill’s output will include equal and unequal angles from 3 to 7 inches, channels from 3 to 10 inches, flats up to 12 inches, rounds up to 3 5/8 inches and No. 14 to No. 18 rebar.

“The roll pass design developed by SMS group will allow the mill to use a wide variety of starting billet sizes, ranging from 6.25 inches square to 5.5 inches by 11.5 inches,” the company said. 

Nucor chairman and chief executive John Ferriola said the new mill is in keeping with its growth strategy. 

“It builds on our market leadership position by further enhancing our product offerings of merchant bar, light shapes, and structural angle and channel in markets in the central U.S.," Ferriola said.  


SMS group said the new mill will have 16 stands, including five dual-drive convertible stands with quick-change capabilities. It will also be equipped with three shears – with provisions for automatic sample collection – and an automatic sampling area at the cooling bed. 

The company said the mill also will include a multi-line straightening machine with automatic bar positioning and feeding, an automatic roll-change system, a 700-ton cold shear, two cold saws, an 80-foot automatic magnetic stacker with four independent 20-foot sections, and a profile gauge equipped with surface defect detection.  

In addition to the mechanical equipment, SMS group will supply the electrical and automation system. Start-up is scheduled for 2019.