North Carolina is poised to become a hub for specialty steel production, as US Forged Rings, Inc. announces the establishment of a significant manufacturing facility in Hertford County. The project, set to unfold over three phases, promises a staggering investment of $875 million, with the first two phases expected to generate 625 new full-time positions.
“US Forged Rings’ investment in Hertford County is a ringing endorsement of our state’s top-notch workforce,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We are committed to delivering the talent companies need and bringing good-paying jobs to every corner of our state, including northeastern North Carolina with this project.”
US Forged Rings (USFR), incorporated in March 2022, stands as a comprehensive manufacturer of specialized steel products. As a privately owned entity under the Sozzi family’s industrial group, which boasts over four decades in steel forging, USFR produces essential components such as reactors, heat exchangers, and various industrial rings, shafts, and cylinders.
The new facility will be strategically positioned alongside Nucor Steel’s Hertford County processing site, highlighting USFR’s robust supply chain collaboration with Nucor.
“This investment into the first two phases of our Hertford County, North Carolina facility will bring good-paying jobs back to America, substitute imports, lower dependency on foreign suppliers, increase the resilience of the US economy, and help lower uncertainty in the costs and timing of building power plants and other critical infrastructure that the country very much needs,” said USFR’s CEO & President, Giacomo Sozzi.
The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from various state officials. “Eastern North Carolina means business, and this announcement is great news for families throughout the region,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. He emphasized the state’s dedication to aligning specialized training with the needs of industrious workers.
N.C. Senator Bobby Hanig expressed his support, noting, “It’s a great day for Hertford County North Carolina. North Carolina’s competitive advantages are many, from our friendly business climate to our world-class transportation networks offering convenient access to markets up and down the Eastern Seaboard. US Forged Rings’ decision today is a vote of confidence in northeast North Carolina and the hard-working people who call our region home.”
N.C. Representative Bill Ward added his gratitude, stating, “I’d like to thank the many people and organizations that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make today’s announcement possible. We are honored that US Forged Rings selected Hertford County and North Carolina as the site for this major project, and we will continue to work hard to support the company as it establishes operations in our region.”
The project is the result of a collaborative effort involving the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and several other state and local entities, including the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, and the Hertford County Economic Development Department.
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