Steel Mills
Order Intake Booming for SMS Group
Written by Laura Miller
June 24, 2022
Business is booming for global metals plant technology and equipment provider SMS group Inc. amid growing demand for decarbonization and recycling technologies.
Order intake during 2021 for the Düsseldorf, Germany-based company was at its highest level in ten years at €3.5 billion. This year that number is expected to be comparable, with the company expecting “a sustainable and perceptible increase in incoming orders and a marked improvement in results over the next few years.”
The global steel industry is adopting transformation strategies as countries set ambitious climate targets for decarbonization, and “as a systems supplier, we are in a position to support customers comprehensively in every situation,” SMS CEO Burkhard Dahmen said in a statement.
SMS thinks its is well placed to help its customers during the entire lifecycle of their plants including designing and commissioning and decades-long operations, as well as during all upgrades and revamps.
Having acquired the remaining shares of the Paul Wurth company in April 2021, SMS says its position as a technology provider and full-line supplier for the steel industry has been strengthened even further.
Expecting significant growth in the industrial services market over the next few years, SMS recently acquired a 50% interest in global industrial services provider KAEFER Isoliertechnik GmbH & Co.
Additionally, SMS says it is “rigorously pursuing the expansion of its service business,” focusing on electrics/automation, digitalization, and technical service.
Recent North American Flat-Rolled Mill Projects
SMS is providing Nucor Steel West Virginia with its new melt shop which will include two 190-metric-ton direct current EAFs, two twin ladle furnaces, and two vacuum tank car degasser facilities. The project is expected to be complete by 2024 with hot commissioning currently scheduled for the second half of 2024.
The company provided the single-strand caster for ultra-wide and thick slabs at Nucor’s new heavy-plate mill in Brandenburg, Ky., and is providing on-site maintenance services for the caster.
SMS also provided US Steel’s Big River Steel with mechanical equipment, electrical and automation systems, and digitalization technology at its mill in Osceola, Ark.
North Star BlueScope’s mill in Delta, Ohio, was provided a thin slab caster and digitalization of its hot strip production by SMS. The flat-rolled steelmaker recently celebrated the expansion and commissioning of its new EAF melt shop.
SMS in addition recently supplied the Nucor-JFE Steel Mexico 50-50 joint venture in Silao, Mexico, with a new continuous galvanizing line.
By Laura Miller, Laura@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Laura Miller
Read more from Laura MillerLatest in Steel Mills
Hybar lowers output forecast, owning up to EAF startup delay
Hybar LLC’s rebar mill in Osceola, Ark., is now melting scrap and will soon be fulfilling orders, according to CEO David Stickler, despite a six-to-eight-week delay caused by commissioning the world’s first Aura electrical system.
Steel Dynamics guides to more metal, more money in Q3
Steel Dynamics Inc. is bullish heading into the close of the third quarter, with all three of its operating segments tracking higher.
AHMSA opens doors to potential buyers as $1.3B asset auction nears
AHMSA is opening its doors to potential buyers to tour its steel plant and mining operations in northern Mexico in preparation for the next stage of its bankruptcy process: the auction of its assets.
USW seeks clarity on USS plans for Granite City Works
The United Steelworkers union has asked U.S. Steel to elaborate on its Granite City Works plans following reports that the steelmaker is ending processing at the facility.
Nucor maintains plate prices, opens October order book
Nucor aims to keep plate prices flat for a seventh straight month with the opening of its October order book.