March 11, 2024 RHI Magnesita Invests in Upgrades in North America

RHI Magnesita invests more than $35 million in technology, infrastructure, and equipment upgrades in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

(Tampa, Florida) RHI Magnesita, the largest supplier of refractory products, systems, and solutions both worldwide and in North America, is committed to growth in technology, infrastructure, and equipment advances in the region, which encompasses the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Recent North America investments aimed at enhancing the customer experience and further solidifying the company’s leading position include:

• Customized machinery designed to automate the application of refractory materials to support better ergonomics and safety for site personnel.
• Systems designed to increase operational safety, complementing the operator analysis of refractory materials.
• Specialized equipment and commissioning, providing precision repair of the Electric Arc
• Increased recycling technology, providing CO2-reduced refractory solutions and contributing to the environmental sustainability of our industry.
• Expanded manufacturing capacity region-wide to increase domestic production
• Upgraded and modernized facility for high quality, complex slide gate fabrication [Lexington, Kentucky].
• Established industrial training center to facilitate hands-on training for refractory technicians [Lexington, Kentucky].
• New, state-of-the-art production line, creating a domestic source for Blast Furnace Tap Hole Clay, which is currently being imported [Huron, Ohio].
• Upgraded press infrastructure, increasing capacity, reducing lead time, and supporting growth of highly complex refractory production [Ashtabula, Ohio].
• New CNC lathe, improving dimensional accuracy, increased flexibility, and response time [Ashtabula, Ohio].
• Rotary and tunnel kiln modernization to support high quality production, decreased downtime, and stronger, more reliable output [York, Pennsylvania].
• Equipment and infrastructure improvements for mining site, optimizing material flow, and preparing for long-term growth [York, Pennsylvania].
• Research and development lab upgrade and expansion to support product enhancements and new developments [York, Pennsylvania].

Additional global investments, planned over the next two years and exceeding $90 million, will provide benefits to the North America region, including:

• Process automation to increase employee safety and ensure quality
• Digitalization and rebuilding of IT infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art ERP system implementation, modernizing technology and suiting the organization for continual growth.
• World-class supply chain planning upgrades to increase supply chain reliability and delivery

“The North America region has a dedicated team encompassing over 1,400 employees across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They are committed to safety, sustainability, quality, continuous improvement, and value creation for our customers,” stated Craig Powell, North America’s Regional President. He continued, “Our investment into the region is an integral part of the strategy as we encourage the team to continue paving its way in providing the best technology, research and development, delivery performance, and sustainability solutions to our customers!”

About RHI Magnesita
RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems, and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals, and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world, with around 16,000 employees in 47 main production sites, 8 recycling facilities, and more than 70 sales offices. RHI Magnesita intends to leverage its leadership in terms of revenue, scale, product portfolio, and diversified geographic presence to target strategically those countries and regions benefiting from more dynamic economic growth prospects.

The Group maintains a premium listing on the Official list of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, with a secondary listing on the prime segment of the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). For more information please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com

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