"The Lex Group is pleased to announce our newest expansion into the Houston area, one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. with global access via the ports in the Gulf of Mexico," said Lex Group chief operating officer Paul Douglass in a statement.

"We look forward to helping the local economy as well as providing our customers both old and new increased capacity without sacrificing the quality and service for which the Lex Group is known," he said.  

The company said that not only will the facility help grow sales in the southwest, but it will open the doors to other international markets via the Houston ports.

The company said the facility is expected to produce as much as 15,000 tons per month. It will offer hot rolled, cold rolled, coated, hot rolled pickled and oiled, stainless and aluminized steels in thickness of between 0.022 and 0.375 inches.  

It is targeting the automotive, office furniture, metal building, light-duty shelving, appliance and construction markets.