Expansion at a local copper plant means more jobs

IMC-Metals America, which produces copper products, recently announced an expansion that will bring additional jobs to Cleveland County.
IMC-Metals America, which produces copper products, recently announced an expansion that will bring additional jobs to Cleveland County.

For the second time in the span of three years, a local plant is expanding and bringing additional opportunities and jobs to Cleveland County.

IMC-Metals America, which announced in 2020 a 30,000-square-foot expansion and the addition of 46 jobs over three years, will soon be adding additional square feet and 75 to 80 new jobs, according to a press release.

The plant, located at 135 Old Boiling Springs Road, has been in operation in the county for around 33 years.

According to the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership, the company currently employs 110 people.

Sitework for the  80,000-square-foot expansion is set to begin in the third quarter of 2023.

“We are so excited that IMC-Metals America has again chosen to invest in our community with their recent expansion announcement of 75+ jobs,” said Brandon Ruppe, associate director of CCEDP. “We consider expansions of existing industry to be the highest honor because it highlights the synergistic relationship between our community and industry partners. IMC has been in our community since 1990, and we look forward to our continued partnership and watching their company thrive in Cleveland County.”

IMC-Metals America recently announced an expansion that will bring additional jobs to Cleveland County.
IMC-Metals America recently announced an expansion that will bring additional jobs to Cleveland County.

According to a release, IMC – Metals America, LLC is one of North America's largest producers of oxygen-free copper rod and also produces copper anodes servicing various electroplating applications.

Beth Norman with Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership, previously said the 2020 expansion would bring the facility to the next level.

She said the facility gathers scrap metal and wiring, and the copper is melted and formed into anodes and nuggets. The refined product is used in a variety of ways, including in electrical wiring, cell phones and to coat pennies.

In a press release, IMC-Metals America announced its expansion and entry into the ETP copper rod market.

“Prime Materials Recovery, Inc. announces the contracting of an SCR 4500 copper rod system from the Southwire Company for installation at its subsidiary, IMC – Metals America, LLC in Shelby, NC,” the release states. “This new line will be installed in a purpose-built plant at the existing site and will mark PMR/IMCs entry into the ETP copper rod market.”

The release went on to say that in a separate initiative, IMC will also be increasing OF copper rod production capacity with the purchase and installation of a new line from Upcast OY based in Pori, Finland.

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with industry leaders like Southwire and Upcast OY with these initiatives,” said Bernie Schilberg, CEO of Prime Materials Recovery. “We look forward to these successful projects and years of effectively serving our customers and these markets.”

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Local copper plant announces expansion