HarbisonWalker International Celebrates New Investments in White Cloud, Michigan Manufacturing Facility
HarbisonWalker International Celebrates New Investments in White Cloud, Michigan Manufacturing Facility
Investments will increase refractory production capacity and efficiency
White Cloud, Michigan — July 24, 2019 — HarbisonWalker International (HWI), the largest supplier of refractory products and services in North America, hosted a ribbon-cutting event at its manufacturing operations in White Cloud, Michigan to celebrate completion of the first phase of an expansion that increases the floor space of the facility by 35%. The project is part of a $9 million investment being made this year to significantly increase warehousing space along with the addition of new, advanced manufacturing and hydraulic press technologies.
HWI’s White Cloud operations primarily produces refractory products that are utilized by the steel industry. This is the latest in a series of capital investments that HWI has made at White Cloud over the past three years. In 2018, HWI integrated new equipment and technologies to modernize the facility.
Mirroring its steel customers’ investments to boost production capabilities and upgrade facilities, HWI announced in May 2019 that it would be investing to increase capacity by 25 percent in 2019 at key steel refractory facilities.
“White Cloud is an extremely important facility that has been vital to our company and the community for more than four decades,” said Carol Jackson, chairman and CEO at HWI. “Historically, and especially in the past two years, the team at White Cloud has helped fuel our steel industry customers’ success by consistently delivering on their tremendous demand for the refractory products we produce here. We’re so proud of the great work our White Cloud employees do every day for our company and our customers.”
The facility currently employs approximately 140 people and produces brick and monolithic refractories. The 110,000 sq ft plant has been the production site for some of the industry’s most innovative and industry-leading refractory products for steelmaking operations.
About HWI, A member of Calderys
HWI is the largest supplier of refractory products and services in the United States, with a history that spans more than 150 years. Acquired in February 2023 by Platinum Equity, it is now part of Calderys and is the brand for the Americas region of the Group.
HWI has manufacturing sites and strategically placed distribution centers in the Americas, as well as the largest refractory industry research facility in North America. Serving virtually every major industry that requires refractory solutions to enhance production and protect assets, HWI is consistently recognized for its talented experts, industry firsts, and intensely driven excellence.
For more information, visit https://thinkhwi.com