Key Advantages of Locating Metal Fabrication Operations in Southeast Ohio

For manufacturers in the metal industry looking to expand, relocate, or establish new facilities, choosing the right region for metal fabrication site selection is crucial for long-term success. If chosen incorrectly, cost-intensive locations can chip away at your profitability before you even start production.

While large metropolitan areas tend to draw interest from many companies, more rural markets like Southeast Ohio have a lot to offer, too. With lower operating costs, excellent supply chain access, and unique workforces, there’s lots to love.

Southeast Ohio has become a frontrunner for manufacturing operations in recent years, particularly for businesses evaluating their options for metal fabrication site selection. Whether your operations focus on steel fabrication, aluminum processing, advanced metal manufacturing, or custom metal works, there are many operational advantages to locating your plant in Southeast Ohio.

A Primed Workforce with Deep Industry History

Southeast Ohio has a long history of iron and steel manufacturing that spans over 200 years. Locals have been working with the ore and energy resources in the region for centuries, and today Southeast Ohio boasts over 180 businesses in the metals sector.

An available workforce with the right skills for the job can make or break a manufacturing operation. Southeast Ohio’s population gives companies access to laborers that don’t need extensive training, which heavily favors the region during the metal fabrication site selection process.

Ohio is the number one state for forging and roll forming, two fundamental metal-shaping manufacturing processes. It also ranks as the 2nd state for primary metal manufacturing employment and the 3rd state in fabricated metal product manufacturing employment.

Powerful Multi-Modal Capabilities with Major Supply Chain Access

Metal fabrication requires the movement of heavy raw materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass. These metals are then used to create sheets, plates, tubes, bars, beams, and more. Metal fabrication companies need to move their raw materials efficiently and affordably to fabrication plants and then on toward their final destinations.

Southeast Ohio offers a seamless, low-cost option for transport: the powerful Ohio River. Ohio enjoys 355 miles of the river which provides access to five major terminals on the Ohio River Inland Waterway. The Ohio River serves as a major commercial barge corridor, allowing companies in the region to move metal at a fraction of overland freight costs.

Rail systems in Southeast Ohio include Norfolk Southern, CSX Transportation, and local and regional railroads. Southeast Ohio’s major US interstate connections also fill in the transportation gaps on land.

Southeast Ohio is situated in a prime location for supply chain connections within the United States and around the world. Ohio has nine foreign trade zones and is the only state in the Midwest with direct shipping routes to Europe for both container and heavy goods. Metal fabrication companies in Southeast Ohio have an excellent opportunity to benefit from supply chains in the automotive, energy, and aerospace industries.

Affordable Real Estate, Abundant Energy, and Ohio State Incentives

Metal fabrication operations in Southeast Ohio have a lot of advantages thanks to their unique location. When every dollar counts to stay competitive and turn a profit, operational considerations like real estate and energy matter.

Southeast Ohio boasts many shovel-ready sites that are available at significantly lower purchase and lease rates than major cities nearby and around the country. This makes opening a new operation or expanding an existing one less of a risk, which is a major selling point for metal fabrication site selection.

Conveniently located on top of the Marcellus and Utica shale plays, the region also offers abundant supplies of natural gas. Reliable, low-cost energy gives metal fabrication companies peace of mind knowing they can afford to keep the lights on.

The Buckeye State values the investment that different industries have made in its communities and the metal fabrication sector is no exception. Through OhioSE and JobsOhio, expanding metal fabrication operations can benefit from performance-based grants, tax credits, workforce training grants, site grants, research and development grants, and more.

Make Southeast Ohio Home for Your Metal Fabrication Operation

Metal fabrication is already a core component of Southeast Ohio’s economy, and your operation could be the next pillar in the industry.

With a skilled workforce, the right infrastructure, and cost-effective transportation options for raw and finished goods, the region provides metal fabrication operations with an enticing competitive edge and the possibility for real long-term growth.

Whether you’re expanding, upgrading your facilities, or establishing a new venture, consider Southeast Ohio as your next home for metal fabrication.