Reinvention of River Rouge: Dearborn Reborn

Severstal North America Hosts Grand Opening of Newest Steelmaking Facilities

Welcomes Customers, Suppliers, Government Officials

An icon of both the 20th century power of Michigan’s heavy metal manufacturing wheelhouse and the 21st century disintegration of the industries associated with it, Ford Motor Co.’s River Rouge has been reinvented.

 Severstal North America, one of the largest U.S.-based steel producers specializing in the full range of the high quality, light, flat-rolled products, is hosting a Grand Opening celebration of the company’s new steelmaking facilities in Dearborn, Mich.

Alexey Mordashov, CEO of OAO Severstal, said, “From the day we first acquired the Rouge assets eight years ago, we had a long-term vision for this plant. We saw opportunities to succeed by creating strong industry and community ties and servicing our customers with high quality products and advanced technologies. Being located here in the heart of the automotive industry with strong heritage and spirit of innovation, we are proud to be able to continue on the traditions of the great past and on to the bright future.”

To date, Severstal North America has spent $1.4 billion modernizing the Dearborn plant, including constructing a pickle line tandem cold mill (PLTCM) complex and hot-dip Galvanizing line (HDGL). The $450 million new PLTCM has highly sophisticated control systems and cutting-edge operating practices and the $285 million HDGL with advanced technologies ensures consistent coating thickness and surface texture. The new facilities are capable of producing the newest generation of coated advanced high strength steels for the most demanding applications.

Distinguished presenters at the event included Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, and Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States, Sergey Kislyak.

“Severstal’s investment in Michigan with its expanded, upgraded Dearborn plant and its commitment to supplying the automotive industry with a new generation of steel products is good news for the motor capital of the world,” Snyder said. “Michigan is a great place to do business, work and live."

The “Dearborn Reborn” theme chosen for the event focuses on leveraging the proud history of Severstal while emphasizing the future capabilities brought about by the modernization. The celebration signifies a resurgence of steel manufacturing in the legendary Rouge plant. The major modernization has transformed Severstal North America’s facilities into one of the most advanced steel mills in the world.