Hamilton plant expanding
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Hamilton plant expanding
Staff Reports
Thursday, September 20, 2012
HAMILTON — AZZ Galvanizing has dedicated the expansion of its Hamilton plant, the company said in a news release Wednesday.
Earlier this year, AZZ invested $6 million in a 58-foot-long galvanizing kettle and a 19,000-square-foot building expansion. The company said 20 new jobs have been created as a result, and an additional 10 jobs are likely to be added early next year.
AZZ’s Hamilton plant specializes in hot-dip galvanizing, dipping steel into a kettle of molten zinc. The molten zinc reacts with the steel to form a protective coating that prevents corrosion and rust.
AZZ’s new facilities are expected to open for production in October and reach full operating capacity by January 2013.
Jim Getz, AZZ sales manager, said the Hamilton plant’s production is expected to double, allowing it to meet an increasing demand for galvanized products. “
All steel-related markets are discovering that hot-dip galvanizing can add 25-plus years of maintenance-free service life,” Getz said. “This expansion allows us to better serve those markets and capitalize on industry growth.”
The Hamilton plant is one of AZZ’s 34 locations worldwide. The company said it serves a variety of markets including wind, solar, agriculture, transportation and electric power distribution industries. AZZ describes itself as America’s largest galvanizing company,
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has granted AZZ $220,000 in Hoosier Business tax credits for the expansion, and the town of Hamilton is providing AZZ with $186,671 in property tax abatements.
David Koenig, director of the Steuben County Economic Development Corp., said he is excited to see local businesses grow.
“AZZ has been with Steuben County for almost five years, and we are proud to support them as they grow our local economy,” he said in a news release. “This will have a very positive impact on the Steuben Community and our region.”
An open house is being held Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a ribbon cutting at noon. People who plan to attend are asked to make reservations with Holly Clemens at hollyclemens@azzgalv.com or by calling 488-4477.
