SteelFab plans $23.6 million expansion
Roanoke Mayor Jill Hicks, Randolph County Commission, State Rep. Bob Fincher, Sen. Randy Price and Randolph County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Bryant Whaley are excited to announce the expansion of SteelFab Inc in Roanoke.
The SteelFab plant in Roanoke was chosen for an expansion over sites in South Carolina and Virginia. The expansion includes expanding its heavy fab building by 40,000 square feet, adding a roof to an existing crane way, adding 11,000 square feet to an existing paint bay, adding 1,500 square feet to the existing break room, expanding the laydown yard by 10 acres and purchasing new machinery and equipment. The expansion will create 32 full-time jobs over a two-year span with an hourly wage of $17.50, along with health, dental and vision insurance, plus paid time off and a profit-sharing bonus. The expected completion date of the expansion is June 2021.
J. Glenn Sherrill founded SteelFab Inc. in 1955 in Charlotte, N.C. SteelFab of Alabama was founded and opened a new structural fabricating facility in Roanoke under Mayor Betty Ziglar in 1997. SteelFab currently has 175 employees and will grow to over 200 during the expansion. The steel from the Roanoke plant has help build many facilities across the U.S., such as the Georgia Aquarium, the Daytona International Speedway grandstands, and many high-rise buildings, hospitals, power plants, gymnasiums, arenas and much more across the country.
SteelFab plant manager Joey Whaley said, “This project will bring in revenue to Randolph County, the City of Roanoke, and create jobs for people in this area. It will be a win-win for everyone. The expansion will allow our plant to produce more volume and help manufacture heavier type of work. I am very thankful for this opportunity to grow and expand. SteelFab is a very loyal company that wants to see its people succeed. I began working as a machine operator over 20 years ago and worked my way up to becoming plant manager. I have no doubt that the hard-working people of this plant were one of the major deciding factors of us being chosen for the expansion.
Roanoke Mayor Jill Hicks agrees, “Roanoke needs jobs, and we are so fortunate to have SteelFab bringing in jobs during this time of economic uncertainty. We are so excited, and I have no doubt this opportunity will improve the quality of life for many of our citizens. SteelFab is truly appreciated as it gives bountiful to Roanoke.”
RCEDA Executive Director Bryant Whaley stated, “SteelFab has been a staple industry in Roanoke and in Randolph County for 24 years. This expansion has been in the works for over a year. This marks the second existing industry expansion in Randolph County in 2020. This expansion proves that Randolph County is not only a great place to live and raise a family, but it is becoming a place people want to work.”
Steel Fab
