January 22, 2008
Press Release: Latrobe Specialty Steel Announces Major Expansion Of Its Latrobe-based Vacuum Remelting Facility
LATROBE, Pa., Jan. 22, 2008—Latrobe Specialty Steel Company, a major producer of high-alloy specialty steels used primarily by the aerospace and defense industries, today announced a major expansion of its Latrobe, Pa.-based vacuum remelting facility for high-alloy specialty steels.
“To ensure America’s continued ability to produce the aircraft and fighting vehicles our military desperately need, assure our customers of faster deliveries and support our community, we have broken ground here in Latrobe for a new vacuum remelting facility for high-alloy specialty steels. We expect to see the first hot metal in August and commercial production by year end,” said Hans J. Sack, President and Chief Executive Officer of Latrobe Specialty Steel.
“Our Sandycreek plant for finishing operations in Venango County will also receive new investment, expand its building and create new positions,” Mr. Sack added.
“This year marks Latrobe Specialty Steel’s fiftieth anniversary in the aerospace industry. Half a century ago, in 1958, we installed our first vacuum arc remelting furnace or VAR to make alloys for America’s burgeoning aerospace industry. Forty-five years ago, we put in the vacuum induction melting furnace or VIM we still use. Today, 75 percent of our production goes to defense and aerospace,” said Mark Weberding, Vice President for Marketing and Sales.
”Our aerospace and defense end users look to us for new materials solutions. With this tripling of our vacuum melting capacity, we can broaden our product range of high-performance alloys. Organic expansion is just one of the ways we will develop Latrobe Specialty Steel. We appreciate the support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in helping us continue to grow within the state,” Mr. Sack said.
Latrobe Specialty Steel Company, headquartered in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, manufactures and distributes precision-engineered specialty alloys for customers globally. Airframe and defense systems manufacturers specify Latrobe’s high-performance, vacuum melted and vacuum remelted alloys for jet engine bearings, landing gears, helicopter rotor shafts, fighting vehicle torsion bars and spacecraft components. Latrobe Specialty Steel offers a wide variety of solutions for the most demanding industry requirements. In business continuously since 1913, the company employs approximately 900 people in ten locations throughout North America and Europe. Find additional information about Latrobe Specialty Steel at www.latrobesteel.com or contact Lisa Pierce at 724-532-6324 (lisa.pierce@latrobesteel.com).
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