Siemens Industry announced that its Metallurgical Services Offline Maintenance (MSM) group has expanded its service capacity at its Benton Harbor, Mich. facility to include roll overlay capabilities and technology for steelmaking.

"Our strategy is to continue to make investments that enhance the quality of the services that we provide to our customers," said Joe Didwall, director of operations at Siemens MSM. "Having this capability allows us to better serve our customers that are in close geographic proximity to our Benton Harbor facility. Not only can we reduce freight costs and minimize transit time, but this expansion also creates convenient accessibility between the customers and our specialists to optimize roll performance and increase business."

The facility, which renovated 12,000 square feet to accommodate the new roll welding addition, will also hire 10 additional employees to fill machinist and roll welding positions at the plant. Siemens now has two roll shops in the United States. The company’s other MSM facility, in North East, Md., is the center of competency for the manufacturing and reconditioning of rolls and related products for continuous casters, hot strip, cold and finishing mills.

As a premier supplier to the North American steel industry, the Benton Harbor facility specializes in advanced electroplating solutions and the engineering of continuous caster molds.