Recently, AK Steel broke ground for its world-class Research and Innovation Center at a ceremony held in Middletown, Ohio. The ceremony marked the start of construction of the company’s new 135,000 square foot facility, which is being built on a 16-acre site in the city’s Renaissance District.
AK Steel said that the $36 million facility will be customer-focused, providing advanced technical support to the company’s valued customers, as well as developing new and improved steel products for a number of markets.
“Once completed, our new state-of-the-art Research and Innovation Center will provide our talented researchers, scientists and engineers with the tools they need to accelerate development of future game-changing products and processes,” said James L. Wainscott, Chairman, President and CEO of AK Steel.
The new facility will be home to the company’s 76 researchers, scientists and engineers who will perform leading-edge research, applications engineering, advanced engineering, product development and customer technical services. The company also expects to add 15 new full-time research positions. The new building will feature some of AK Steel’s stainless steel products as part of the exterior design. Other features of the new facility will include: State-of-the-art steel research and testing equipment and analytical tools; a Customer Experience lobby showcasing AK Steel’s products and technologies, as well as the company’s heritage of steelmaking; a tiered auditorium for technical conferences; and a Technical Information Center.