More than $350 million invested to date to restart operations
Texarkana, TX – Today, Texarkana Aluminum, a national leader in stainless steel, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for its newly upgraded aluminum coil rolling mill. Since its acquisition in October 2018, more than $350 million has been invested in the mill to restart operations and an additional $416 million is anticipated in continued upgrades. The investment represents the largest U.S. investment in recent years in the common alloy aluminum rolling mill industry.
“Our investment and commitment at this facility, complements operations across the company’s multiple business areas,” said Johnny Hsieh, the company’s President and CEO. “Our goal for Texarkana Aluminum is to become the largest and most committed, fully integrated aluminum mill in North America for common alloy aluminum.”
Ta Chen International, Inc. (TCI), Texarkana Aluminum’s parent company, is a leading master distributor of stainless pipes, valves, fittings, long products, tubing and flat rolled aluminum. Underscoring its commitment to growing the operation, Texarkana Aluminum’s cold rolling mill and finishing processes are operational and by May 2020, the company plans to have the hot rolling mill restored and will acquire onsite casting operations. In 2020, the company anticipates producing more than 300 million pounds of common alloy, and even more in the years that follow.
With its sizable investment comes job creation. Since its restart, Texarkana Aluminum has created more than 150 high paying value-added manufacturing jobs and will continue to add even more. By 2024, the company anticipates that more than 500 skilled personnel will be hired and a total of $500 million will be invested in the Texarkana region.
Governor Hutchinson of Arkansas along with Texas State Senator Bryan Hughes attended the event, as well as officials from AR-TX REDI (Regional Economic Development Inc.) Both states have previously expressed a desire to act as a unifying force for economic growth in the region.
“We are grateful to have the support of Governor Hutchinson and Governor Abbot, as well as local officials and the REDI group,” said Calum Donnachie, COO of Texarkana Aluminum. “Though our mill is located in Texas, more than a third of our employees live in Arkansas. As we grow, we feel that this will positively impact the entire region.”
“We are incredibly thankful for Texarkana Aluminum’s sizable investment in our region,” said Rob Sitterley, President & CEO of AR-TX REDI. “Their investment highlights Texarkana’s expertise and deep talent pool in advanced manufacturing and we are committed to being their partner over the long-term to help continue their success.”