In a significant boost to the local economy, US Forged Rings, Inc., a leader in specialty steel manufacturing, is set to open a major production facility in Hertford County. The ambitious project, unveiled by Governor Josh Stein, will unfold in three phases, demanding an investment of $875 million. Initial estimates from the company suggest that the first two phases will generate 625 new full-time positions.
Governor Josh Stein expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “US Forged Rings’ investment in Hertford County is a ringing endorsement of our state’s top-notch workforce. 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, specializes in producing high-quality steel products and large-diameter steel fabrications. As part of the Sozzi family’s industrial group, which boasts over four decades of experience in steel forging, USFR is a privately owned entity. The company’s product lineup includes critical service fabrications, specialty tubulars, and forgings essential for power generation and various industrial components like rings, shafts, and cylinders.
The new facility will be strategically located next to Nucor Steel’s Hertford County plant, enhancing its supply chain partnership with Nucor.
CEO & President of USFR, Giacomo Sozzi, emphasized the broader benefits of their investment, stating, “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.”
North Carolina officials are optimistic about the potential economic impact. N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley remarked, “Eastern North Carolina means business, and this announcement is great news for families throughout the region. US Forged Rings appreciates our state’s commitment to match specialized training with the hardest working people in America to provide the skilled workers the company needs to succeed in today’s competitive business environment.”
The decision has been welcomed by local leaders, with N.C. Senator Bobby Hanig highlighting the state’s strengths: “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 praised the collaborative effort behind the scenes: “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 initiative is backed by a coalition of partners including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, and several other state and local agencies, all working in tandem to ensure the success of this landmark project.
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