Globe Specialty Metals Reopens Alabama Plant

Globe Specialty Metals Inc. has reopened its silicon metal and ferrosilicon alloys facility in Selma, Ala. The company idled the facility last year during the economic downturn. The company has since reopened one of its furnaces last month, and restarted the second furnace this week. At full capacity, this plant produces about 27,000 tons of silicon metal and ferrosilicon alloys a year.

"The reopening of this plant is a vote of confidence in the future of Alabama's economy," says Alabama Gov. Bob Riley. "Its impact, however, goes far beyond new investment and jobs. Globe is bringing renewed opportunity and renewed hope to many families in this area."

The reopening of the Alabama plant follows the company’s decision to reopen its Niagara Falls, N.Y., plant in late November of last year. The company opted to reopen that facility after investing around $25 million to restart the facility after its closure more than five years ago. That facility has two furnaces capable of producing about 30,000 tons of metallurgical grade silicon annually, creating more than 100 new jobs.