As promised, ThyssenKrupp Steel USA (TKS) produced their first coils off the #1 Hot-Dipped Galvanizing Line. TKS will ultimately have three coating lines and a Continuous Anneal Line (CAL) as we progress through 2011. The #1 HDG Line was constructed with the intention of servicing the automotive industry.

A ThyssenKrupp Steel USA source advised SMU the first coil was approximately .040" X 48" G40 and was determined to be 100% prime by the mill. The photo in this article is of that coil - the first TKS USA galvanized coil.

Based on our sources the mill expects to begin taking prime orders for galvanized product within the next four weeks. Over the next month the mill will be commissioned to insure everything is working properly and to prepare the mill for prime production. If the mill continues to perform as expected TKS could run some of their trial orders during the next four weeks.

TKS sent out a notice to their employees announcing the successful run of the first coil:

“After much anticipation this week from the entire ThyssenKrupp Steel USA Team, yesterday the Hot Dip Galvanizing Line successfully rolled out their first ever coated coil.

At 4:12 pm yesterday [Thursday, March 31, 2011], HDGL 1 successfully produced the first galvanized coil weighing 9,756 kgs. By 6 pm, 2 full weight coils and 2 half weight coils had been produced.

We all congratulate the entire HDGL Team for this major milestone accomplishment, and cheer them on as they refocus their continued dedication to the successful start up of HDGL 2, 3 & 4.

With the addition of HDGL into the production stream, our well trained and motivated Team Members at ThyssenKrupp Steel USA today celebrate another major step towards our ultimate goal of becoming the premier steel producer in the NAFTA market.”

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