Jackson County's largest employer gets a $9.5 million facelift

Out with the old: Constelium's 60-year-old mill gets $9.5 million facelift

Katelyn Waltemyer
Jackson Newspapers
 

RAVENSWOOD — When Brian McCallie's kids ask him what he does at Constellium, he tells them he puts metal through a colossal pasta press.

It's actually a cold rolling mill, and there's only one other like it in the U.S., but it's the same principle as a pasta press. As aluminum travels through the mill, it's thinned. 

Constellium had gotten its money's worth out of its 1950s era mill — now, after five years, it has made appropriate updates to it. The company celebrated its modernized $9.5 million 144-inch cold rolling mill Monday, Nov. 8. 

Humming filled the plant as the updated mill turned on. People peered around the corner of the cream-painted machine as it was milling a piece of aluminum. 

McCallie, director of manufacturing, smiled the whole time he talked about the updated machinery. The mill itself will not create any new jobs, but McCallie said it will increase employee morale by making tasks easier to complete and more accurate to customer requests. 

[The mill had gone about 60 years without major updates.]

A handful of people who played a role in updating the mill spoke at the ceremony— they all emphasized the importance the mill plays with the country's defense system. 

Representatives from Charleston and as far away as Washington D.C. gathered at the Millwood National Guard Armory on Monday to celebrate Constellium's achievement. 

Many of Constellium's products go toward the U.S. military. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Industrial Policy Jesse Salazar applauded Constellium for its continued support of the military and national security. 

"Aluminum manufacturing cold rolling is critical for armoring U.S. ground combat vehicles, constructing Navy ships and building military aircraft," Salazar said. "Aluminum is an essential material."

Constellium reigns as Jackson County's largest employer by providing 1,100 jobs to the area. Sen. Shelly Capito spearheaded the funding for the project, and she said the company is constantly trying to better serve its customers, employees and the community. 

"I think that's a source of pride for all of us and particularly here in Jackson County," Capito said. "I think it's a mark that says there's a real future here, a solid future."

But they're still looking for more people to join the crew. Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Germain said during his speech Monday that there are about 35 positions open. 

Unlike a pasta press, the mill is operated by employees in hard hats, boots and safety glasses. McCallie said just updating the mill has energized employees. 

"It's taking something old, investing in it and making it state of the art so that we can compete for a very long time," McCallie said. "There's lots of growth ahead of us." 

— Katelyn Waltemyer (she/her) is the General Assignment and Enterprise Reporter for Jackson Newspapers in Jackson County, West Virginia. Have a news tip on local government or education? Or a good feature? You can reach Katelyn at kwaltemyer@jacksonnewspapers.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kate_Waltemyer.