CAMANCHE, Iowa – Merrill Steel has announced plans for an $18.3 million expansion here that will create 94 new jobs.
The company, a leading supplier of steel and heavy plate fabrication, is expanding its Camanche plant at 2011 Seventh Ave. The company plans to expand structural steel fabrication operations into Camanche, where it currently leases space, with the purchase and redevelopment of an existing facility, according to the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board.
The IEDA recently awarded $800,000 to Merrill, a third-generation family business, to assist with the expansion project. The funding comes from the state’s High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.
“Grow Clinton is excited to welcome Merrill Steel to the greater Clinton region,” said Andy Sokolovich, president and CEO of Grow Clinton, the business advocate group that represents the Clinton and Camanche area.
“The company has a strong history of success, and the redevelopment of the former TMK IPSCO facility fills a gap in our community, offering future employment opportunities to our residents,” he told the QCBJ in an email.
“Thank you to the City of Camanche and the Iowa Economic Development Authority for their continued support. This project represents a capital investment of $18.3 million and is expected to create 94 jobs with a qualifying wage of $19.57 per hour.”
Recently opened, the Merrill Steel facility is currently dedicated primarily to paint, fireproofing, and en-masse steel storage, according to the company’s website.
“With the addition of this latest facility, Merrill Steel now has nearly one million square feet of combined production space,” the website states.
In addition to Camanche, Merrill has facilities in Schofield, Wisconsin, and Springfield, Missouri.
The company’s history dates back to 1962 when Roger W. Hinner purchased a 5,000- square-foot foundry located in what was known as “Tannery Town” in Merrill, Wisconsin. Merrill Steel’s primary business was the fabrication of steel bulk storage bins for the local farming community.
With a company culture that was customer driven, Merrill Steel quickly grew to satisfy the commercial agricultural needs throughout the Midwest.
Today, the Schofield-based Merrill Steel provides structural steel and plate fabrication for many projects, including stadiums, arenas, hospitals and skyscrapers.
