March 8, 2007 — Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI) has awarded a contract to Siemens to modernize its existing 3-strand bloom/beam-blank casting machine at its Columbia City, Ind., plant.

The scope of the project includes the addition of a fourth strand; implementation of new casting formats (7-x7-inch and 8-x10-inch); and the supply of second strand-containment segments for various strand widths. The torch-cutting machine will be relocated, the run-out area will be extended, and Siemens’ continuous straightening concept will be implemented on all strands. Siemens will also supply hydraulic and electric/automation equipment.

Siemens will provide engineering, equipment and advisory services, while SDI will be responsible for equipment installation.

The plant upgrade at the Columbia City facility will increase SDI’s caster production output and enable the casting of new section sizes. The project is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2007.

Steel Dynamics is the nation’s fifth largest producer of carbon steel products on the basis of production capacity. The company operates five electric-furnace mini-mills with a total steel production capacity expected to reach 6 million tons per year in 2007. SDI produces merchant bars, engineered bar products, wide-flange beams, rails, and flat rolled steel. Finishing facilities in Butler and Jeffersonville, Ind. produce pickled, cold-rolled, galvanized, and painted flat-roll steel. Steel Dynamics employs approximately 3,300 persons.

Siemens Metals Technologies, a division of the Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) Group, is one of the world's leading engineering and plant-building companies for the iron and steel industry as well as for the flat-rolling sector of the aluminum industry and for open-cast mining. In the U.S., Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. represents the I&S Group within Siemens AG. (I&S) is the integrator of systems and solutions for industrial and infrastructure facilities and global service provider for the plant and projects business covering planning, installation, operation and the entire life cycle. I&S uses its own products and systems and process technologies in order to enhance productivity and improve competitiveness of companies in the sectors of metallurgy, water treatment, pulp and paper, oil and gas, marine engineering, open-cast mining, airport logistics, postal automation, intelligent traffic systems and industrial services. In fiscal 2006 (to September 30) I&S employed a total of 36,200 people worldwide and achieved total sales of EUR 8.819 billion.