BlueScope Steel has invested in state-of-the-art stretch-levelling technology for the manufacture of coil plates in Australia.
Being used for the first time in BlueScope's Australian domestic product range, the new technology will provide excellent product quality and consistency, while also allowing significant enhancements to BlueScope's market offer for coil plate products.
With supply to commence to customers from October 2014, this new processing line will be installed adjacent to the Hot Strip Mill at BlueScope's Port Kembla steelworks.
BlueScope has utilised the expertise of industry leaders in stretch-levelling technology, Leveltek International LLC in West Virginia USA, and industry leaders in steel processing equipment, The Bradbury Group in Kansas USA.
BlueScope market manager - manufacturing, construction and mining - Ken Liddle said the investment decision had been made after considerable feedback from customers who expressed a preference for locally made high-quality steel.
The technology investment will allow BlueScope to provide its domestic coil plate customers with an industry-leading standard of consistently flat and memory-free coil plate products, and is expected to have a significant positive impact for customers with improved consistency of cutting, bending and press-forming performance.
The investment has also allowed BlueScope to significantly enhance its market offer for coil plate. Once the new processing line is operational, customers will be able to order smaller quantities on short lead times, providing exceptional value to their business.
