SET Enterprises, Inc. Announces Southern Expansion

WARREN, Mich., May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SET Enterprises, Inc. ("SET") a leading provider of steel processing services with operations in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, today announced plans to build a new state-of-the art steel processing and service center in Jackson, Alabama.  At full operating levels, this new facility will be capable of processing 360,000 tons of material to support new steel production coming on-line at ThyssenKrupp Steel USA in Calvert, Alabama, as well as supporting the growth of other steel manufacturers and producers in the Southeastern United States market.  

This first phase of SET's investment is slated to be nearly $12 million for building construction and equipment and these initial operations will consist of two slitting lines, including one line with the capability of processing heavy gauge material up to .500", in a 65,000 sq. ft. climate-controlled building with ample storage space and on-site truck and rail access with barge access nearby.  The facility is scheduled to be on-line early in 2012 and will create up to 40 new jobs.  

A planned second phase of the project would double the size of the facility, increase the processing capacity and services offered and expand the workforce to accommodate the anticipated growth of steel processing requirements in the region.

Located 65 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a key Norfolk-Southern rail corridor, the Jackson, Alabama site will offer critical Just-In-Time access to ThyssenKrupp's operations in Calvert as well as areas throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and the remainder of the Southeast United States.  

This project is being undertaken thanks in-part to the extraordinary efforts and support of the City of Jackson and Mayor Richard Long; the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; the Clarke County Economic Development Partnership; the State of Alabama Development Office; Cooper Bros. Construction and our business allies at ThyssenKrupp Steel USA.  

Jackson Mayor Richard Long commenting on SET's announcement stated "On behalf of the city council and all of the citizens we welcome CEO Sid E. Taylor and SET Enterprises to our community and we appreciate their commitment to invest in Clarke County and the State of Alabama".

"We appreciate the decision that SET Enterprises has made to provide up to 40 new jobs for the residents of the Jackson area and the investment they are making in Alabama," said Alabama Development Office Director Seth Hammett. "Our mission is to bring new and better jobs to the people of this great state and announcements such as this one are going to bring us closer to that goal."

Sid E. Taylor, Chairman/CEO of SET Enterprises, Inc. on SET's new Alabama processing center noted, "SET's expansion into Alabama is further representation of our team's execution of our "Way Forward" initiative which includes expanding into new markets, driving improvements & new technologies within our core competencies and diversifying beyond our Midwest-based automotive roots.  In 2010, we launched two new businesses, adding jobs and opportunities in the City of Detroit and we are proud to be able to offer similar opportunities to our new Southern Alabama community.  We are grateful for the efforts of Mayor Long, the State and Regional development officials and of course ThyssenKrupp for allowing us to execute our vision in what continues to be a challenging economic environment."

SET Enterprises, Inc., led by Sid E. Taylor, a Vietnam combat veteran and former Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year recipient, has been a provider of steel processing services since 1989.  SET has a long-standing reputation as a leader in providing high-quality, cost effective solutions to its automotive OEM customer base and their Tier I and Tier II suppliers.  In 2010, those capabilities were expanded to include commercial construction through their SET Duct Manufacturing and SET Construction subsidiaries.  SET Enterprises is Veteran owned and is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) as certified by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) and is committed to various community-oriented initiatives.  Sid E. Taylor is the Founder and Chairman of the Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund established in 2000.  This NATIONAL program awards scholarships, laptop computers and mentoring to at-risk college-bound high school graduates.  More information about the Real Life 101 program can be found at www.reallife101.org.

Additional information on SET Enterprises, Inc. and its commercial construction industry subsidiaries SET Duct Manufacturing, Inc. and SET Construction, Inc. can be found by visiting our web sites at www.setenterprises.com, www.setductmanufacturing.com, and www.setconstructioninc.com or contacting Antoinette Turner at (586) 834-3028.      

SOURCE SET Enterprises, Inc.