Monolithic Refractories Manufacturing
The Point Industrial Park in Lawrence County has been chosen by HarbisonWalker International (HWI) as the location for a new $30 million monolithic refractories manufacturing facility. The plant will build large refractory products that can be molded or shaped for specialty usage.
Refractory materials are non-metallic and retain their strength in high temperature manufacturing like steel and glass making. They are used in environments above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit as linings for furnaces, kilns, incinerators and reactors.
Pittsburgh-based HWI is the largest supplier of refractory products and services in the nation with 17 manufacturing facilities and 30 global sourcing centers.
Intermodal Transport
Ohio River access as well as Ohio and interstate highway and strategic rail were part of HWI’s location decision.
“The intermodal transportation features at The Point will ensure efficient delivery of raw materials from nearby suppliers and finished products to customers. The site offers efficiencies that are simply not possible elsewhere,” said Douglas Hall, senior vice president, Integrated Supply Chain, HarbisonWalker International, about HWI’s ability to reach global markets from the southernmost point of Ohio.
Hall also noted the close proximity to suppliers, a supporting infrastructure, incentives, and the potential for long-term partnerships in the area as factors in the location decision.
The project was supported by a JobsOhio Grant and a SOACDF ED Grant. 629 Roadwork funds were received by the industrial park to facilitate construction.
New Technology
HWI expects initial capacity at the new monolithic plant to be approximately 80,000 metric tons per year. The plant
will feature state-of-the-art automation and technology, and will utilize lean techniques to maximize material flow efficiency and production. The facility will also introduce advanced packaging technologies that are new to the North American market.
“HarbisonWalker International’s progressive attitudes, commitment to its workforce and customers and emphasis on quality arnd technology are a perfect fit with our overall approach,” said Bill Dingus, executive director of the Lawrence Economic Development Corp., developers of The Point.
The company joins 18 companies at the 500-acre industrial park in South Point, Ohio, which features 3,400 feet of Ohio River frontage, an intermodal transport dock facility, seven miles of rail track through the site connecting to Norfolk Southern lines and Interstate 64 only six miles from the park.
A groundbreaking is planned for early summer 2017 with production anticipated to begin in 2018.
