Rautaruukki to invest structural steel production

Finland-based Rautaruukki Corporation has announced the investment of Euro six million in structural steel production at its Ylivieska and Seinajoki plants. The investment will involve the boosting of production capacities of heavy frame structures at Ylivieska and of painted steel frames at Seinajoki. Commenting on these latest investments, Rukki Construction president Saku Sipola stated, "Our response to the increasing demand in bridge and building construction is to strengthen local production throughout our operating area, also in Finland. These investments will speed up our growth as a total delivery supplier in the construction business, especially in the Nordic countries." The Ylivieska investment is intended to increase annual production of heavy frame structures required for bridges and large industrial buildings from 10,000 mt up to 15,000 mt. The investments are to be implemented immediately, with the increased capacities expected to be up and running by the end of the year. Rautaruukki has operations in 23 countries, employing 13,000 people. Net sales in 2006 totaled Euro 3.682 billion. The corporation has used the marketing name Ruukki since 2004.