Beaumont, TX – Today, Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) toured the Beaumont Steel Mill, a local Gerdau Ameristeel plant in Orange County.

“Plants such as the Beaumont Mill not only supply needed products for our state and our country, but they also provide jobs for local communities,” said Senator Nichols. “I am grateful we have such a plant in Southeast Texas.”

The Beaumont Mill has a melt shop capacity of 700,000 tons per year and employs approximately 350 individuals. Products, including rebar, wire rod and fabricated materials, made at the Beaumont Mill are used to build roads, bridges and buildings across the country.

“I want to thank Senator Nichols for visiting our facilities this morning,” said Gerdau VP/GM Dean Peery. “Senator Nichols understands steel is vital to building a sustainable future in Texas.  It is important the industry has champions like Senator Nichols to support domestic steel manufacturing to help keep our Beaumont and Vidor communities thriving for years to come.”

Gerdau is one of the largest steel producers in North America with an annual manufacturing capacity of approximately 12.4 million tons of finished steel products. Through its vertically integrated network of steel mills, recycling operations and downstream facilities, our North American business division serves customers throughout the United States and Canada while employing more than 11,000 people.