Fives, a global industrial engineering group, was awarded a contract by Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI), one of the largest steel producers in the United States. This is the second SDI contract awarded to Fives in 2018. The Columbus Flat Roll Division of SDI is investing USD 140M to add a new continuous hot dip galvanizing line (CGL No 3) into the existing plant in Columbus, Mississippi, USA and diversify its product portfolio. Currently, the Columbus Division serves the needs of the automotive, agriculture, appliance, building and construction, energy, HVAC, lighting and machinery industries.
Fives’ project includes design, supply and commissioning of the complete CGL No 3 that will be capable of producing 400,000 tons per year. The advanced line will be dedicated to produce unexposed automotive steel grades, as well as other commercial and specialized steel grades. The scope of supply includes a complete design and supply of entry & exit coil handling sections, a degreasing section, a horizontal annealing furnace, hot dip galvanizing and cooling equipment, a skin-pass mill and strip leveller, inspection, metallurgical assistance for different steel grades and types of coating, as well as construction and commissioning assistance. The new line is expected to be commissioned in the middle of 2020.
The novel partnership began in August 2018, when SDI contracted Fives to upgrade its continuous galvanizing line (CGL No 2) at the same facility to increase production capacity. Fives deployed its specialty software, DMS OptiLine™ to simulate the complete operation of a strip processing line.
