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Aug 17, 2023

ATI Vandergrift expansion on schedule; more jobs expected

How to applyAnyone seeking a job may apply online at atimetals.com/careers. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

How to applyAnyone seeking a job may apply online at atimetals.com/careers.

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

Construction on the multimillion-dollar expansion project at ATI’s Vandergrift mill is on schedule.

Last year, ATI announced plans to invest more than $65 million to shift operations from standard stainless steel to produce specialty steel for a global market, primarily for energy, defense and aerospace.

A new bright anneal external furnace is being constructed at an existing building at the Vandergrift facility, originally a water-­powered mill dating to 1849.

ATI officials confirmed Friday that construction crews recently installed roofing and siding on the 10-story furnace, which now stands at its full height.

“We do anticipate commissioning the machine, which means testing it and putting a piece of coil on the line, in (the fourth quarter) of this year,” said Danielle Carlini, vice president of strategic initiatives for ATI.

On assignment in Vandergrift @ ATI Vandergrift. Construction continues on a new 10-story high external bright anneal furnace. The project is part of a $65 - $85 million expansion. ⁦@VNDNews⁩ ⁦@TribLIVE⁩ pic.twitter.com/UJ0Q8pqtiw

— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) April 22, 2022

The expansion led to the recent hiring of 29 additional production employees, Vandergrift plant manager David Markle said.

He said ATI plans to hire another 25 employees.

That means that, by year’s end, the Vandergrift site will employ 250 people.

ATI officials said the cost of the project remains on budget, at $65 million to $85 million.

Vandergrift’s zoning board granted two variances last June for a new annealing line.

Carlini said ATI hopes the expansion will position the company globally in the specialty steel industry.

“It’s great for the community. We’re building something that will make us the leader globally in these specialized products — with industry leading flow times. We’re creating a business that is long-term sustainable for the community — more robust,” Carlini said.

ATI’s exit from standard stainless steel concluded last year, Carlini said.

Carlini noted industry lead flow times will be 25% faster with all anneal process steps under one roof in Vandergrift.

The Vandergrift plant offers a geographic proximity to the Brackenridge melt shop operation in Harrison, and a Norfolk Southern rail line delivers coils from Harrison to Vandergrift once daily, five days per week.

The train route includes crossing the Allegheny River through Kiski Junction in Freeport and has been used by ATI for about eight years, Markle said.

Examples of specialty steel products made at the Vandergrift facility include airplane parts, helicopter blades, undersea drilling equipment and titanium metals, which are used in an exclusive Titleist golf club and in linings for oil and gas pipelines.

“These are materials really exposed to challenging environments and are heat and light resistant,” ATI spokeswoman Natalie Gillespie said.

ATI purchased the Vandergrift facility, in operation for more than 150 years, from U.S. Steel in 1988.

ATI officials said the facility will meet or exceed all air quality requirements.

Gillespie said the smokestack might release steam that could be visible, depending on inside and outside temperatures.

In addition to the Vandergrift location, ATI is seeking to fill 100 Specialty Rolled Products jobs in Natrona Heights, the Brackenridge Operation in Harrison, Latrobe, Washington, Monaca, Rochester and Zelienople.

Anyone seeking a job may apply online at atimetals.com/careers.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .

How to applyAnyone seeking a job may apply online at atimetals.com/careers.

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.