CMC to establish downstream presence in Ohio

CMC has received a grant from an economic development agency in Ohio that will help the Irving, Texas-based metals producer locate a downstream rebar fabrication plant in Akron, Ohio.

According to the Team Northeast Ohio (Team NEO) economic development agency of Cleveland, CMC has announced plans to start up a facility in Akron in a vacant building that formerly housed rebar operations.

“A JobsOhio revitalization grant will support the project to ensure the building is ready for use,” Team NEO says. “Once renovations are complete, CMC plans to grow operations and hire up to 50 new employees over the course of five years.”

The plant will be the second CMC location in Ohio, with Team NEO noting the company sees potential for Ohio, with growth in construction-related products and downstream operations in the rebar market. CMC also has a rebar fabrication facility in Hamilton, Ohio, about 30 miles from Cincinnati.

“The investment by CMC is representative of the ongoing resurgence of traditional manufacturing in not only the city of Akron, but also across Northeast Ohio,” says Gregg Cramer, vice president of economic development with the Greater Akron Chamber. 

A January 2023 report from the Cleveland Business Journal indicates the Akron Erectors Inc. and B Steel Erectors Inc. formerly were housed in the building into which CMC will be moving. The two firms filed to liquidate under bankruptcy court protection that month.

The new facility will be part of CMC’s nationwide network of steel mills, construction products business units, metals recycling facilities and rebar fabrication plants.

A CMC project underway to build a recycled-content electric arc furnace (EAF) mill in West Virginia means as soon as next year, CMC will be able to supply the Akron facility internally with rebar made in West Virginia.