According to the company, formerly called HarbisonWalker International, the investments include: 

• Monolithics expansion investments at its White Cloud, Mich., USA, plant, which increased capacity 12,500 metric tons and robotics upgrades for hydraulic presses.
• Expansion of its Lowellville, Ohio, facility to increase capacity from 300 metric tons to 2,000 metric tons. 
• New press installations at facilities in Windham, Ohio, and Vandalia, Mo.
• Expansion of the Thomasville, Ga., plant, increasing its capacity to 7,500 metric tons.
• Installation of new grinding equipment at the Mexico, Mo., machine shop. 

In a statement, the company said the capital investments demonstrate the commitment of the company’s new ownership to global competitiveness and development in the Americas region. HWI was combined with another refractories maker, Calderys, earlier this year. 

“Our investments in the Americas underscore the value we place in our deep, longtime relationships with customers in the region, particularly with our many steel industry partnerships. These investments demonstrate our plans for continued growth and our leadership as a combined organization,” said Michel Cornelissen, Calderys president and chief executive officer.

Added Ross Wilkin, Calderys senior vice president of Americas: “In less than a year under new ownership and since combining with Calderys, we’ve successfully integrated our Americas operations with the former Calderys operations in the U.S. and in Brazil, enhanced our products and services portfolio for customers, and completed massive investments in our manufacturing facilities. We are well-positioned for the future.”