Client News
Global Steelworks’ five-stand cold mill starts operation
Apr 26, 2005
Enables GSII to produce 1.0 million tons of cold-rolled steel per annum
(Manila, Philippines) —- Global Steelworks International, Inc. (GSII) announced that its five-stand tandem cold rolling mill in its Iligan City plant is now operational.
The combined capacity of a previously operational four-stand cold mill and the five-stand mill is 1.0 million tons of cold rolled products annually.
GSII acquired the former National Steel Corporation (NSC) last year and launched an extensive rehabilitation program of the company’s Iligan plant. GSII is a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading steel manufacturers, Global Infrastructure Holding Limited.
The five-stand cold mill was last operated in May 1999, when it caught fire during routine maintenance. The fire seriously damaged the mill’s mechanical, electrical and computer control systems. Despite the extensive damage, full rehabilitation took just 10 months, which is considered something of a record in the industry.
“Bringing the five-stand mill on stream will enable us to fully meet the demand of our existing domestic and export markets for cold-rolled products,” said Sushant C. Das, president of GSII, “and enable us to offer our products to more markets in the Southeast Asia region. Our initial deliveries in these markets have received very encouraging feedback in terms of quality and delivery commitment.”
“Full rehabilitation of the five-stand cold mill in such a short span of time is a major engineering and technological achievement. We sourced spares, components and experts from around the world to make sure that rehab proceeded on schedule,” said Sanjay Mathur, corporate resource officer. “Technology and investment apart, our employees, who worked tirelessly on the rehabilitation, are the true champions,” he added.
The five-stand cold rolling mill is considered the heart of the steel plant. “It gives GSII flexibility in the product mix because it can produce cold-rolled, full-hard material for a wide variety of gauges in both narrow- and wide-width coils, including those that we require to produce tinplate,” explained Das.
Since starting trial production in May last year, GSII has exported 25,000 metric tons of cold rolled steel to China. Most output is purchased by domestic customers in the Philippines, particularly the galvanizing industry.
Exports are growing fast. “We have ample orders of cold rolled products from China and other ASEAN countries,” Das said.
GSII’s next objective is to begin operating the company’s hot strip mill by the end of April. The mill is in the final stages of rehabilitation. The tinplate line will be placed into operation soon afterwards.
Since its reopening, the steel plant has provided direct employment to 1,000 people. “With Iligan City once again a strong industrial center in the region, we are witnessing the rise of more small enterprises that are making the economy even more vibrant. We are pleased to have contributed to the positive economic transformation the city is now undergoing,” said Mathur.