Nufab Rebar^(TM) LLC, Nucor Corp.'s rebar fabrication joint venture with Ambassador Steel Corp., announced that it has acquired Lulich Steel LLC. Rebar fabricator Lulich Steel serves the reinforcing steel construction markets of Louisiana, Mississippi and the panhandle region of Florida.

"We are pleased to announce the first step by our Nufab Rebar joint venture in building a rebar fabrication presence in the central and southern regions of the United States," said Dan DiMicco, Nucor's Vice Chairman, President and CEO. "Nufab Rebar's growth plan provides Nucor the opportunity to further grow our downstream integration from our bar mills into a value-added process.

Formed in January 2005, Nufab Rebar LLC is a rebar fabrication joint venture between Nucor and Ambassador Steel. Nucor and Ambassador plan to grow Nufab Rebar through the acquisition of existing assets as well as with greenfield projects.

“We are excited to be partners with a leader in the rebar fabrication industry — Ambassador has built a very attractive business model driven by its strengths in engineering, manufacturing and marketing,” continued DiMicco. “Our partnership with Ambassador complements the work of our other rebar fabrication joint venture with Harris Steel Group in the western and northeastern regions of the United States."

Ambassador Steel is the largest independent rebar fabricator in the United States, with fabricating facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Nucor is the largest producer of rebar in the United States. With its affiliates, Nucor manufactures steel products, with operating facilities in fifteen states. Products include carbon and alloy steel bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; and light gauge steel framing. Nucor is the nation's largest recycler.