Republic Engineered Products Inc. announced the startup of a new saw line for bars produced at its Canton plant. The $285,000 investment boosts annual cutting capacity at the Canton facility by 40,000 tons.

The new line strengthens Republic's in-house processing capabilities and eliminates the Canton operation's need to use outside processors for cutting bars. Initial product cut on the new saw line will be used in crankshafts for the automotive, off-highway equipment and Class 8 truck industries. Republic expects to quickly increase the customer base for the line to include companies in the oil and gas industries.

"This new line gives us more control over the quality and timely delivery of our bars," said Jon Ridgeway, Republic's Canton Plant Manager.

The new line was supplied by Behringer Saws Inc., Morgantown, Pa., a world leader in the manufacture of heavy-duty, high-performance horizontal band-sawing machines. Republic's skilled craftsmen were instrumental in the installation of the line.

The new saw line creates nine new positions in Republic’s Canton facility.

Republic Engineered Products, Inc. is North America's leading supplier of special bar quality (SBQ) steel, a highly engineered product used in axles, drive trains, suspensions and other critical components of automobiles, off-highway vehicles and industrial equipment. With headquarters in Fairlawn, Ohio, the privately owned company operates steelmaking centers in Canton and Lorain, Ohio, and value-added rolling and finishing facilities in Canton, Lorain and Massillon, Ohio; Lackawanna, N.Y.; Gary, Ind.; and Hamilton, Ont. Republic employs approximately 2300 people.