PLANT HISTORY

The Midlothian Steel Mill began operation in 1975 as Chaparral Steel and was a 50/50 joint venture between CoSteel International Ltd and Texas Industries (TXI), a Dallas-based cement, aggregate and concrete company. The mill’s primary product was reinforcing bar as a complimentary product to use in TXI’s concrete applications and was one of the first to utilize the “mini-mill” concept.

Throughout the next eleven years, production capabilities would expand with the construction of the Medium and Large Section Mills. In 1986, TXI acquired Co-Steel’s interest in the joint venture and Chaparral became a wholly owned subsidiary of TXI. In January 2005, TXI decided to “spin off” the steel company, and on July 29, 2005, Chaparral became a wholly independent stand alone company. In September 2007, Chaparral was acquired by Gerdau.

Gerdau originated in 1901 with the purchase of the Pontas de Paris nail factory in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Due to war rationing of wire (a basic raw material for making nails) by the Brazilian federal government during World War II, the directors opted to end their reliance on outside suppliers and purchase the Riograndense Steel Mill. By producing the wire themselves, they were able to better control the supply chain. In the last 120 years, Gerdau has expanded its operations into 10 countries and is the largest long steel producer in the Americas.

Today, Gerdau manufactures steel

Gerdau Is Proud To Be Green

products for agriculture, energy, industrial, automotive and manufacturing applications. The Midlothian Mill is the largest North American Mill in Gerdau and has an annual steel making capacity of 1.8 million tons. It is located near the intersection of US Highway 287 and US Highway 67, with approximately 1,405 acres of property. Gerdau’s mills remain some of the most ecologically and environmentally conscious steel manufacturing facilities in the world.

Each day, team members make new steel products almost entirely of recycled content. Midlothian Mill is proud to be one of the largest recyclers of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal in the state of Texas. They integrate green practices through waste reduction, pollution prevention and energy efficiency. This includes a new solar farm which will reduce the reliance on the local power grid and improve power reliability for all of Midlothian. Gerdau continually strives to lessen their impact on the environment.

98% of Gerdau steel is recycled from scrap metals.

97% DID YOU KNOW?