Corus awards contract to VAIPOMINI for replacement rolling stands and rail finishing facilities at Scunthorpe

03 Aug 2005

As part of its previously announced £130 million Long Products investment at Scunthorpe steelworks, Corus is pleased to name VAIPOMINI, the Italian based subsidiary of Siemens VAI, as its chosen supplier to manufacture and install new mill stands, as well as cooling and finishing processes, in order to introduce rail rolling alongside existing sections production.

After a full technical appraisal and rigorous selection process, VAIPOMINI has been chosen to provide a technically-innovative solution that includes de-scaling facilities together with a seven universal stand finishing mill and state-of-the-art marking, hot-sawing and cooling equipment.  In addition, VAIPOMINI will install despatch and handling equipment.

Once rail production has moved to Scunthorpe from Workington, the new facility will enable Corus to roll rail in lengths up to 120m long in an inline continuous finishing mill – a world first for the steel industry.

Andrew Page, Managing Director of Corus Construction and Industrial commented: “VAIPOMINI is one of the world leaders in housingless stand design and they have offered a technically robust solution that provides the consistent quality and high performance required to meet the exacting market demands for long products.”

“This investment not only introduces a rail rolling capability onto the mill but will offer improved tolerances and an enhanced service to our structural section customers.”

Gérard Glas, Managing Director of Corus Rail added: “The production of longer rails is in response to our customers' evolving needs and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the rail industry and its future development.”

Giuseppe Ferrario, Managing Director of VAIPOMINI said: “We are delighted to be working with Corus to deliver the technically-demanding solution that they require.  We will be providing a total manufacturing solution, offering Corus the flexibility to quickly change and setup rolling stands, in order to timely support its broad product mix.”

Corus expects the installation to be completed by summer 2006 with full production by the end of 2006.